Klopp: Bournemouth loss ‘proper setback’ for Liverpool

FOOTBALL Klopp: Bournemouth loss ‘proper setback’ for Liverpool

Kiplagat Sang • 11:00 - 12.03.2023

The Reds slumped to a defeat just days after outclassing Manchester United.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has decried how the 1-0 Premier League loss on Saturday was a huge setback for Liverpool.

Just six days after whitewashing Manchester United 7-0, the Reds fell to a 1-0 loss to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium courtesy of a goal scored by Philip Billing.

To Klopp, the defeat was a massive setback for his side.

"This game was a massive knock. How is it with knocks? You have to take them, and then you have a look at how big the scars are, and then go from there," the German said after the match, as per Sky Sports.

"Setbacks are setbacks. We are in the situation we are in because of the setbacks, and because of the good performances as well.

"We didn't only have setbacks, but we have had too many. Today [Saturday] was a proper one, no doubt about that.

"Now we have to deal with it and we will deal with it. One thing we have learned this season is to deal with setbacks."

Klopp was further concerned by their away form; Liverpool have only won three of their 13 away games in the Premier League this season.

"Concerned, yeah," he stated. "I see it. With the home games, I think we are top four. With away games, we are not even in Europe. There's always a reason for the situation we are in.

"We could have had more points at home as well, and maybe we should have, but away, definitely. That was a big strength of ours in the last few years, it made a big difference, but that's how it is when you are successful."

The defeat comes just before the Reds travel to Spain for a Round of 16 second-leg Champions League duel against Real Madrid. The Premier League's former champions face a daunting task after conceding a 5-2 loss in the first leg.

"We have to make sure we recover properly because on Wednesday, we obviously have a big game [against Real Madrid]. Then it's the international break, when we hope everyone comes back healthy," he added.

"Then we have the football week of all football weeks, opponents-wise, So, there's a lot to go for, but today is not the moment for me to talk about that."