Whether a Liverpool supporter or not, everyone with even a passing interest in football knows that the Reds are not in top form. Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp addressed that issue, updated the status of several injured players, added further thoughts to the club's recent 3-2 setback versus Arsenal, and shared insight into the upcoming match against Rangers when he met with the media.
“We have to keep fighting,” Klopp said of Liverpool's struggles in the Premier League. “We are not playing our absolute best football…but we fought against Arsenal really hard. That's what we will have to do again tomorrow night (against Rangers). They want to get things right and they want to get points in the Champions League”
Regarding the injury situation, according to Klopp, Luis Diaz will be out 6-8 weeks. Joel Matip has also been ruled out for this match as has Trent Alexander-Arnold with more short-term issues. The good news is that Andy Robertson will be on the team sheet and available to play.
In Liverpool's loss to Arsenal, Klopp points to several instances which could have drastically changed the outcome of the match.
“One penalty was no penalty,” he said. “Before the season we had a big meeting with the refs and they said no soft penalties anymore... and it was a penalty we got [given against us]. And the first goal was pretty likely offside. “We just cannot find out because a camera was not there or the angle or whatever. I don't know exactly the reason, but when I saw the pictures I thought it was obvious that Saka came back from an offside position.”
Klopp was also asked about playing on the venerable pitch at Ibrox and the boss certainly appreciates the history of the venue.
“From what I have seen on television, I love the atmosphere,” Klopp said. “I think most of the stadiums where I come to for the first time, I have never been as a supporter and watched a game, but I know it's special.”
When you are faced with difficult times in life, you have two choices, give up or keep fighting. Klopp and the Reds have chosen to keep fighting and the manager clearly communicated that message to the media. Frustration may be starting to show, however. Klopp rarely questions officials' calls while speaking to the press, but he mentioned two in particular from the Arsenal match. While success in the Champions League is nice and Liverpool will certainly appreciate the history of playing at Ibrox for the first time, it is telling that Klopp spent a good portion of his press conference still addressing the Arsenal match.
