Jürgen Klopp met with the media for one final time in Singapore following Liverpool's 4-3 loss to Bayern Munich. The boss discussed the intensity of the match, and Liverpool's defence and provided an injury update on Alexis Mac Allister.
This match felt bigger than a club friendly and the players played like it on the pitch, as well. That level of intensity came as no surprise to Klopp.
“I think it was pretty clear when you set up a game in that period with two teams who are pretty competitive, two managers who are pretty competitive then I think it's pretty clear that it has to be intense,” he said. “I saw a lot of good things, but of course some things which I didn't like and now we have to make an analysis. That's always in pre-season the same: we need to have a look what is really physically because we did a lot in training and yesterday a lot in really tough circumstances. And you saw the goals we conceded were mainly lack of concentration in the moment twice.”
Klopp was obviously not happy with conceding 4 goals, including one in stoppage time, but he still found plenty to praise as the team worked hard against a good side.
“Around the goals obviously not that great, but there were a lot of other moments that were really, really good as well. The last line was good. We have to still adjust. It's not so much about the boys and stuff, [but] yes it is, of course, in these moments,” Klopp said. “Apart from that, how I said, I saw a lot of good individual performances, I think really encouraging, really positive, and we can work with that, that's it.”
Alexis Mac Allister suffered a knee injury toward the end of the first half. Thankfully it was not that serious.
“I got the information that it's too painful, so that was then clear that we will change. There's no need to push him through,” Klopp said. “When I spoke afterwards, he said, 'No, no, I would have been fine.' But we didn't want to go [with] any risks. It's just knee on knee, bruise, that's it. It was fine."
Anyone who watched the game could see it was a good one. Klopp spoke about its intensity and competitiveness. The match was also a good challenge for the defence and despite the four goals, Klopp did not seem overly concerned. Now the team can return to British soil with plenty to feel good about and work on.
