'This must feel bad and it does': Jürgen Klopp laments Liverpool's mental fatigue | Liverpool

buring another of the remarkable comebacks that have graced Jürgen Klopp's reign at Liverpool, their final European match at Anfield will have featured a flat performance and atmosphere, resignation in the face of defeat and a divide between fans and the club; That is, anything that goes against the culture he has created over the last nine years. Rediscover the spark and faith needed to win a first division The title, however, is the Liverpool manager's most pressing concern.

Liverpool hit a wall against Atalanta on Thursday That was not entirely the fault of the Italian club. This takes nothing away from the exemplary performance of Gian Piero Gasperini's team, who showed during a comfortable 3-0 victory why they are unbeaten in 11 away games in the Europa League. Atalanta, sixth in Serie A, looked clinical, tactically astute and dominant in defense against what was ultimately a four-man Liverpool attack. Their defensive organization will be a formidable obstacle to Liverpool's recovery hopes next week in Bergamo, where Klopp's side won 5-0 in a Champions League group stage match during the dark Covid days of November. 2020. Rhys Williams and Joe Gomez were Liverpool's central defenders. that night. But that was then.

Liverpool also hit a wall on Thursday when it came to seeking the intensity that a European quarterfinal requires. The concern for Klopp with seven games remaining in a delicately balanced title race is that fatigue has crept into several performances of late, and against Atalanta it affected players with different conditions and workloads. Curtis Jones and Kostas Tsimikas started because they need playing time later recent and prolonged layoffs due to injuries. Both were off the pace and hooked at the break along with Harvey Elliott.

“We didn't eliminate the three worst players,” Klopp said, explaining that a lack of pace motivated the triple substitution. With the exception of Andy Robertson, who also regained his match sharpness after several months on the sidelines, Liverpool's substitutes, normally so effective at changing games this season, also struggled. Mohamed Salah threatened several times and had a goal disallowed for offside, but Matteo Ruggeri and Atalanta captain Marten de Roon comfortably contained him in possession of the ball. The tiredness of mind, as well as of legs, to which Klopp attributed Liverpool's poor decision-making in extra time. their FA Cup defeat against Manchester United It was evident again when a loose pass from Dominik Szoboszlai led to Atalanta's third goal. Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister, Joe Gomez and Caoimhín Kelleher, influential figures this season for Liverpool, showed understandable signs of fatigue.

It is harsh and hypocritical to blame Klopp's decision to rest key players because Liverpool missed a home run of 33 unbeaten games. His deft juggling of resources amid considerable injury limitations is precisely why Liverpool have been able to challenge on numerous fronts this season. Klopp has used 30 players in the European League, the highest number in this season's competition, and 35 in all competitions. Workloads are measured down to the minute to ensure Liverpool finish their campaigns strong. But they are starting to falter at the worst possible time.

“My job is not the easiest in the world, nor is it the most difficult,” Klopp said after the defeat. “But when you have players, you have to make sure you get them together on the field and then everything works somehow. With different lineups we have played very good football this year, not today. That's the reason we lost. The headline “Blah blah blah, it didn't work” may appear. It is absolutely fine and correct. But we need them all, and we need them all aggressive, fit, willing to achieve, a little angry, full of desire and not so much dealing with their own situation, like 'I have no rhythm, I haven't played in a long time'. .' You have to try to avoid that.

“Diogo (Jota) was absolutely fine, 20-25 minutes helped him a lot and we will see what we can do from there. You saw Curtis, for most of the season he was the fittest player and pressed like crazy for the 90 minutes, after 20 minutes he was 100% surprised. I was also surprised: 'Oh, look, he already feels the intensity.' That's why we made the change at half-time. We don't have to force it. We as a group have enormous quality but we did not show it and that is why we lost.”

Crystal Palace must prepare for a reaction on Sunday, provided they Liverpool find the energy. The Kop will once again be decorated with flags, which were absent against Atalanta when fans protested a 2% increase in ticket prices at Anfield next season. Klopp, who has won more Premier League games against Palace (13) than any other team, longs for Liverpool's return to normalcy as much as Dublin publicans long for the club's continued presence in the Europa League.

“The good thing about really bad performances is that it's easy to play better, so we should start from there,” Klopp said. “This should feel bad and it is. Let the boys take it home. No one will sleep well and then we'll get together and the kids will start to recover and we'll go from there. We definitely have to react, 100%, that's clear, but I can't plan the reaction 20 minutes after the game. I even have to think from time to time and I will think about it. “Unfortunately, it is not the first time in my life that I have lost a football match and yes, we will show a reaction, I promise.”