Jurgen Klopp found himself incensed when Ibrahima Konate received a red card for an altercation with Anthony Taylor, expressing frustration over the decision. Despite this, Klopp acknowledged that Liverpool couldn’t dwell on the defeat in north London, marking their second loss of the season in the same city. The previous controversial loss occurred at Tottenham, with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard securing the win for the home side.
The Reds’ manager noted that Konate’s red card, resulting from a second yellow, marred Liverpool’s afternoon in the capital. Klopp, in a post-match interview with Sky Sports, highlighted various incidents he found contentious, including Jota’s actions not leading to a red card, Havertz receiving a yellow card for an unusual reason, and Gabriel’s similar action going unpunished.
Despite these grievances, Klopp acknowledged Arsenal’s deserving three points and the strange dynamics of the game. He pointed out similarities with a previous cup game, emphasizing Liverpool’s need to adapt during the match. Klopp, aware of the tight race in the standings, expressed the challenges of maintaining an open game, especially with the setback of Konate’s red card.
Reflecting on Konate’s role at Arsenal, Klopp hinted at external influence on the player’s actions. With the loss, Arsenal closed the gap on Liverpool in the standings, putting pressure on Klopp’s team, particularly if Manchester City capitalizes on their games in hand.
Looking ahead, Klopp, set to depart Anfield at the end of the season, aims to finish on a high note. Despite his successful tenure, with a Premier League title in 2020, Klopp hopes to add more silverware, including the FA Cup, Europa League, and Carabao Cup, with the latter’s final still on the horizon. The pursuit of multiple trophies remains a priority as Liverpool navigates a challenging season.