Jürgen Klopp said he could not recall a worse performance in his coaching career after Brighton’s 3-0 win continued Liverpool’s collapse in form. Klopp also expressed concern that his players are not buying into his tactical attempts to alter their fortunes.
“Bad, really bad,” said Klopp. “I can’t remember a worse game, not only Liverpool. I really can’t. This is a really low point. Brighton were the better team, it was well deserved. They played really well. It was a very organised team against a not very organised team.”
Brighton were easy winners after Solly March’s goals at the start of the second half were followed by Danny Welbeck’s late strike, as Roberto De Zerbi’s team climbed above Liverpool to seventh in the Premier League. Liverpool were unable to avoid their second successive league defeat and new signing Cody Gakpo struggled to impose himself.
Klopp fielded an experienced midfield trio of Jordan Henderson, Thiago and Fabinho that ended up being wholly overrun. “I had an idea to change the formation which was to try to help the team,” said Klopp. “That was the idea. But we never did it properly. We need to be creative with the options we have. What I saw today from my team was that they were not really convinced by it. That’s it.”
De Zerbi meanwhile celebrated a statement win. “The players were fantastic today,” he said. “I think we played a great game.”
Alexis Mac Allister shone on his first game back at the Amex Stadium after winning the World Cup and received high praise from his manager. “Alexis is a fantastic player but I think more people know this fact.”
De Zerbi said he hoped Brighton could hold on to their players, after January transfer window interest in the likes of Moises Caicedo and Mac Allister. “I hope they can finish the season with us, with me. We can enjoy a lot this year, they can improve and we can dream.”
Leandro Trossard, the Brighton forward, was absent having left the country on Friday after a dispute with the manager but De Zerbi said he was open to the Belgian’s return. “He’s a good guy,” said the Italian.
“We deserved it thoroughly, it could’ve been more,” said March. “Everyone played out of their skins, it was a great day. We love playing for [De Zerbi] and hopefully it’ll get better and better. We train really hard, he’s so down to the details in everything he does.”
