´A really tender one´ – Klopp rues penalty as Liverpool crash at Arsenal

Jurgen Klopp stated Arsenal’s essential penalty was “a really tender one” after Bukayo Saka’s assured strike from the spot condemned Liverpool to a 3-2 defeat at Emirates Stadium.

The loss is unmistakeably damaging for Liverpool, who’ve received simply two of their opening 9 video games now on this Premier League marketing campaign and are usually not trying like contenders.

They twice equalised in opposition to Arsenal, with Darwin Nunez and Roberto Firmino scoring, however Saka’s second aim of the sport meant it was the hosts who edged a five-goal thriller.

Thiago Alcantara’s problem on Gabriel Jesus within the 73rd minute gave Arsenal their spot-kick, with referee Michael Oliver’s resolution upheld by VAR, despite the fact that there gave the impression to be solely slight contact.

That may be sufficient, though the choice was plainly to not Klopp’s liking.

He instructed BBC Sport: “Now I noticed it and I feel you may think about I don’t suppose it’s a clear penalty, it’s a very tender one.”

He stated Liverpool ought to have cleared the hazard earlier than Thiago and Jesus collided, after Arsenal rained photographs on the guests’ aim earlier within the assault.

“A few issues went in opposition to us, however we aren’t blind, we see we may have executed higher in moments,” Klopp stated. “Generally, it was a superb away recreation in opposition to a superb aspect. We brought on them a variety of issues however stand right here with no factors.”

Liverpool sit tenth after eight matches, with solely 10 factors, they usually already path Arsenal by 14 factors and Manchester Metropolis by 13 factors, albeit holding one recreation in hand.

10 – With 10 factors from eight video games thus far, that is Liverpool’s worst return at this stage of a Premier League marketing campaign since 2012-13 (9 factors), after they in the end completed seventh. Fragile. pic.twitter.com/GcDNvVNvIX

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 9, 2022

There have been optimistic moments for Liverpool, however Arsenal had been the extra spectacular aspect, and subsequent Sunday’s Anfield tussle with Pep Guardiola’s Metropolis seems to be a frightening one for Klopp’s gamers.

Rumblings over a seven-year itch would possibly persist if wins show sluggish in coming, with Klopp having beforehand left Mainz and Borussia Dortmund after chalking up such a tenure. He has now accomplished seven years at Liverpool.

Oozing sarcasm, Klopp stated accidents to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz had been “the icing on the cake” for Liverpool.

“It doesn’t look good for each,” Klopp stated.

Liverpool would possibly come good quickly, however their supervisor will perceive the cruel actuality of outcomes reminiscent of Sunday’s.

“I noticed a workforce with the appropriate angle and put in a correct combat and play soccer, and first half we did, however within the second half I didn’t see these soccer moments as a lot,” Klopp stated.

“I feel the sport is a draw, however at the moment we’ve got nothing.”