Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp dismissed claims that his team is slipping, claiming that it is “not 100% fair” to judge the squad given their numerous injury issues this year.
Liverpool was thought to be Manchester City’s main rival for the Premier League crown, but after 12 games, Klopp’s team is ninth in the rankings.
Injuries have cost Liverpool players like Diogo Jota, Naby Keita, Luis Diaz, and Joel Matip their jobs, and Darwin Nunez has struggled to live up to his high price tag since being brought in as Sadio Mane’s replacement.
Another setback was Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Leeds United, their first home league loss since March 2021.
When questioned if his team is declining, Klopp responded, “We perform this job in public and the judgement for this will be later on in the season, maybe even at the finish.
We haven’t had them [players] available, missing up front top quality, so it’s not quite fair to criticize the team at this time. Normally, we would alter things.
“It’s okay, even though it’s unfair. It’s common to have these inquiries. Those are questions that Arsenal and Man City will have to respond to later. Players and managers alike are on display for judgment; that is the way things are.
According to Klopp, there is no quick fix.
Our problem is consistency and stability, the German stated. Highs and lows are both present. On Tuesday, Liverpool will visit Napoli in their last group game having sealed their place in the Champions League’s knockout rounds. They are currently in second place in Group A and can take first place if they defeat the Italian team by four goals or more.
But they’ll have a tough time beating Napoli, who are currently atop Serie A and haven’t lost a game all year.
“I don’t feel terrified or afraid. Despite the difficulty of the task, I admire what they are doing “said Klopp
“Our current predicament is a little more challenging than Napoli’s. You have to put forth a lot of effort to maintain your momentum when you are winning.”
Ibrahima Konate, a center back, is available to play Napoli, but the game is too close Matip who has a calf problem