Jurgen Klopp admits he might be unable to use his new-look formation when Liverpool are hosted by Rangers on Wednesday night in the Champions League due to injuries.
After switching to something of a 4-4-2 in the 2-0 win over Rangers on Tuesday evening, Klopp named an unchanged side at Arsenal on Sunday as his team were beaten 3-2 by the Premier League leaders.
First-half problems for Luis Diaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold however, means the Reds may be forced into a tactical rethink when they make their first-ever competitive visit to Ibrox on Wednesday evening.
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Instead, Liverpool may revert to their more traditional 4-3-3 in Scotland this week, Klopp said as he weighs up the severity of the knee and ankle injuries to Diaz and Alexander-Arnold, respectively.
"I am very disappointed,” Klopp said after the defeat at the Emirates. “I think around all three goals we made decisive mistakes like the first goal was definitely too early and it was obviously not what you need to get a foot in the game. I understand it a little bit because we tried to win it back and if we block the ball through Diogo Jota, the ball goes the other way. This pass from Martin Odegaard was not to defend.
"One-nil, a really bad start but we started to control the game against a really confident, aggressive Arsenal side. We really showed that we're here for a reason. Equaliser (from Darwin Nunez) was a wonderful goal, great play.
"Then it was an open game. Then we made a bad decision before half-time at the free-kick. I am guilty for that. As an excuse for my side, I can say I was surprised that we went up front, [I thought] what are we doing? But then the boys thought they could score. But we didn't, we conceded at the other end. That, after the worst possible start, it was the worst possible end.
"I think the goals we conceded had nothing to do with the new system. We have to get used to it a bit more. Can we do it again? I don't know because today we lost an important part of it [in Diaz], so we have to see who is available for it in the next game. But do I have deeper concerns? Yes, of course I am not happy. How can I be?”
Klopp added: "I am not in the mood for jokes now, we are not happy and we are in a tough moment. We want to get through together. That is what we are working on. We plan to move up the table by winning games, that would be a good idea.
"What has [last season] to do with this season? A lot of people ask if we're playing like this now because last year we lost the two big trophies. It feels like years ago. I don't think it's the reason but I understand more people think around all corners to find the reason."
READ MORE:
- ‘You cannot play like that’ - Andy Gray identifies key reason behind Liverpool problems
- Luis Diaz forced off with first-half injury against Arsenal
- Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher slam Liverpool defending as Trent Alexander-Arnold point made
- Trent Alexander-Arnold substituted after Liverpool injury blow against Arsenal
- Liverpool fans make Martin Tyler and Gary Neville point during Arsenal defeat
