Short-tempered Jurgen Klopp defends ‘attitude’ of Liverpool players after Man City defeat

German manager seemed displeased with a number of the questions he was asked following the final whistle at the Etihad

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp cut a frustrated figure after his side were thrashed 4-0 by Manchester City at the Etihad on Thursday evening.

Goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden were followed by an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain own goal to consign the new Premier League champions to a resounding defeat, and the German coach struggled to hide his agitation while speaking to Sky Sports after the match.

Klopp was asked about the manner of the loss and its timing – a week after City’s defeat at Chelsea sealed the title for the Reds.

“I think I understood your question in the manner that you weren’t sure how much it means to us, this game – what did you mean by the question?” Klopp asked.

“I understood it more like attitude-wise, is the game important to us? How will we go? And I saw brilliant attitude, I saw boys who were fighting with all they have. They didn’t behave like somebody who became champion a week ago, so that was all good.

“We lacked fluidity, that’s for sure, and in some situations – 50-50 situations – they were just quicker than us in mind, that’s true as well. That’s what they used, then the pitch becomes big immediately.

“So, first goal, we leave Joe it feels like five minutes alone in a challenge with Sterling. There must be a second player. I think before the second goal we lose the ball. It can happen. Against City, you have then massive problems. They used their chances, not all, but a lot, and we didn’t.

“So, City 100 percent deserved the win, of course, but like a 5-3 or something would’ve been possible as well – so, it doesn’t make things better, but now it’s 4-0, we have to take that. That’s it.”

When asked if his side had created chances at 0-0, Klopp replied: “You ask me? Why do you ask me if we had decent chances? We had moments, we had moments, but you watch a game completely calm – why are you asking me if we had decent chances? It makes no sense, this question.

Phil Foden of Manchester City celebrates with Rodrigo and Kevin De Bruyne (2020 Pool)

“We had moments to score ... [but] it’s difficult to mention chances, obviously, because everybody forgets them immediately. Even I forget them. But it’s all okay – it’s not nice, it’s not what we wanted, but I wanted to see that we have really the right attitude and I saw that.”

Klopp was later asked if perspective must be applied to the result, given his side’s title win last week.

“What does that mean?” the German answered. ”I don’t understand the English, sorry. What does it mean?

“If you want to lead this story in the direction that we were not focused on that game, then do it. You ask a second time now. When I speak about attitude, I like my team. I said that and I thought it’s clear. If we go again with that, I think we proved that point, and we proved as well that City is an unbelievably good team.

“Isn’t it nice that in this league another team can be champion even when City is around and plays this kind of football? That’s a surprise as well.”

When asked about the quality of City’s performance, Klopp said: “I forgot that maybe? I said it, I said it. City is outstanding. By the way, I do that always, because they are incredible.

“I saw City’s season, I didn’t see a bad game.”

Liverpool still hold a 20-point lead over last season’s champions City with six games remaining.