Jurgen Klopp has promised there will be a reaction from Liverpool against Crystal Palace after the club’s disappointing defeat to Atalanta.
Liverpool’s hopes of progress in the Europa League are in real jeopardy after a stunning 3-0 home loss to the Italian side on Thursday evening, with the Reds well-beaten in a first home defeat of the campaign in all competitions.
The Reds require a huge turnaround in the second leg to progress but first return to their Premier League title challenge. Liverpool sit second, behind leaders Arsenal on goal difference, ahead of facing Palace and Klopp has promised his team will ‘show a reaction’ to recent disappointments against Manchester United and Atalanta.
“I don’t think it’s a general low point, but you can see performance-wise it was a low point,” Klopp said at his pre-match press conference.
“The good thing about a really bad performance is that you can play better, so we should start from there [against Palace]. First and foremost, this must feel bad and it does.
“We have to show a reaction, definitely. That is 100% clear. I will think about that but it’s not the first time in my life that I lost a football game, unfortunately. We will show a reaction, I can promise.”
Klopp admits he was surprised by the intensity of Atalanta in their man-to-man system and said his side must show ‘aggression’ as they bid to get back on track against Palace.
“That’s why we made the change at half-time,” he added. “But they all have massive quality. We, as a group, just didn’t collectively show it.
“We need them all to be aggressive, fit and going for it. Being a bit angry, full of desire and stuff like this – not so much dealing with your own situation.
“In different line-ups, we have played really good football this year.
“There was no chance to play Trent [Alexander-Arnold]. He was on the bench because we were allowed to put 23 players into the squad. He has had only two [training] sessions.”
