Jurgen Klopp confessed Liverpool’s Champions League qualification for next season is in jeopardy due to a terrible start to the season following Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Leeds at Anfield.
Crysencio Summerville’s goal in the 89th minute was Liverpool’s first home league loss since April 2017.
Liverpool have lost twice as many league games in the first 12 of this season as they did in the previous 38.
Klopp’s squad is 13 points behind Manchester City in the standings and eight points behind the top four.
“We cannot qualify for the Champions League if we continue to play so inconsistently,” remarked Klopp. “We must resolve this issue before anything else is conceivable.”
Liverpool was defeated for the second time in a week by a team that began the day in the relegation zone.
Klopp again attributed his team’s troubles this season to a spate of injuries and a grueling schedule in preparation for the World Cup.
“The circumstance is as it is. There is no justification, but we’ve had injury and fitness issues since the beginning. Others play too frequently or too early (after injury).
“Now is not the time for a complete makeover, but you must persevere and fight for momentum and confidence.”
🎙 𝗖![CDATA[]]>𝗿![CDATA[]]>𝘆![CDATA[]]>𝘀![CDATA[]]>𝗲![CDATA[]]>𝗻![CDATA[]]>𝗰![CDATA[]]>𝗶![CDATA[]]>𝗼: “Scoring at Anfield, it’s a huge moment for me” pic.twitter.com/yoxpjh3Kf8
— Leeds United (@LUFC) October 29, 2022
Relief for Marsch
Thanks to their first victory in nine matches, Leeds moved out of the relegation zone after beginning the evening in second-to-last place in the standings.
This losing streak has Jesse Marsch battling for his job.
The American stated, “Everyone has made a huge fuss over my dismissal, but the board and I have remained together and steadfast.”
“In my opinion, we should not be in this circumstance, yet we are.
“I’ve attempted to maintain my composure while simultaneously exerting myself. The players have performed admirably today.”
Leeds could not have hoped for a more generous gift from the hosts than the opening goal, which came after only four minutes.
Alisson Becker slipped while attempting to reach Joe Gomez’s backpass, allowing Rodrigo to score his sixth goal of the season with a simple finish into an unguarded net.
Mohamed Salah scored his seventh goal in five games against Leeds after redirecting Andy Robertson’s cross in the 14th minute to tie the game.
Due to Liverpool’s Champions League obligations on Tuesday, the Premier League’s unusually late Saturday night kickoff contributed to the tense mood.
The two teams continued to race from one end of the field to the other as both sets of fans roared encouragement.
Leeds came within millimetres of retaking the lead when Brendan Aaronson struck the crossbar and Alisson made toned for his previous error by denying Jack Harrison.
Darwin Nunez has scored in each of his previous four appearances to begin repaying his $75 million transfer fee.
However, the Uruguayan had a night to forget in front of goal, missing two one-on-one opportunities against Illan Meslier.
Leeds appeared to be clinging to a point with Meslier save from Salah and Roberto Firmino in the closing seconds.
But Summerville performed a stroke of genius to give them all three goals and ensure that the Dutch winger will have a great 21st birthday tomorrow.
“My birthday will be memorable!” Summerville said. To score the game-winning goal at Anfield is every player’s dream.