Klopp: 'Bournemouth deserves to beat Liverpool'

"What can I say, this match is not on our side," Klopp told BT Sport on March 11. "We dominated the first half but didn't get the ball into the right position against a tight defensive opponent. Bournemouth had plenty of chances to counter-attack as Liverpool revealed huge spaces. They performed well. much better in recent matches and deserved to win today."

Bournemouth and Liverpool both created a series of dangerous opportunities in the first half, but only scored one through Philip Billing's close-range cushion in the 28th minute. According to Klopp, Liverpool's chances were as dangerous as their opponents. "We didn't show coldness when we finished," he said. "When it was time to put the ball in the net, Liverpool were again disallowed for offside, but the combination was also beautiful."

In the second half, Bournemouth mainly defended and counter-attacked, making the visitors scarce opportunities. In the 69th minute, Liverpool enjoyed the first penalty in the Premier League since April 2022, but striker Mohamed Salah shot 11m out. "Salah scored many goals but this time missed, such is life," added the German coach. "After this situation, we were in a hurry and didn't create enough dangerous chances."

Klopp also said that if Salah had scored a penalty, the match scenario could have been very different. The 56-year-old coach believes that Bournemouth backs the squad too low, causing Liverpool to lose strength quickly. "Every time they counterattack, Liverpool players have to run from the opponent's penalty area to the home team," he said. "When we have the ball, we have to run to the opponent's penalty area, it's very exhausting."

Losing 0-1, Liverpool broke three matches without conceding in the Premier League. Just six days earlier, they also beat Man Utd 7-0 at Anfield, but suddenly stumbled against Bournemouth. Before this round, Bournemouth were at the bottom of the table, but three points from Liverpool helped them escape the group holding the red light.

Klopp is not satisfied with Liverpool's form away from home. He pointed out statistics if only home results are counted, Liverpool is in the Top 4. And if only away, they are not in the group to attend the European Cup. The team's next match will also take place at the Bernabeu away from Real Madrid, in the second leg of the 1/8 Champions League round on the evening of March 15. Klopp's teachers and students need to level the three-goal gap in the first leg.