Jurgen Klopp believes even Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane wouldn’t have made a difference during Liverpool’s 0-0 draw with Arsenal on Thursday evening.
Liverpool were held to a goalless draw in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash, with the Reds struggling to create opportunities despite Granit Xhaka’s early red card for the visitors.
Klopp’s side managed just a single shot on target against the Gunners in a lacklustre showing, one which has raised concerns over how Liverpool will cope without Salah and Mane in the coming weeks.
The duo are currently on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, but Klopp believes even the presence of the two forwards would have done little to break down a deep-lying defence after Arsenal were reduced to 10 men.
“There is nothing bad to say about Sadio and Mo,” said Klopp at his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool’s fixture with Brentford this weekend.
“Naby [Keita], on his day, is one of the best midfielders I have seen, but they are not here. Last night we didn’t miss speed. Arsenal were so deep where did you want to run? There was no space to use them.
“We had to build on how we started. We have to play against deep formations in between the lines and quick thinking is more important than quick running.
“Mo and Sadio can do that but they are not here and the other players can do it as well. It was clear that we would sit here after a 0-0 and you were going to ask about Sadio and Mo.
“Last night we were not perfect but you have to get through different periods in a season and this is ours.”
