Klopp admits Liverpool 'lost the plot' in thrashing at Villa

Football
By Reuters | Oct 05, 2020
October 4, 2020. Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp with Adrian after the match. Pool via REUTERS

Stunned Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said his side did "all the things you should not do in a football match" as they "lost the plot" to play into Aston Villa's hands in their 7-2 humbling at Villa Park in the Premier League on Sunday.

Following on from Manchester United's 6-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool added to a remarkable day as they became the first reigning English top-flight champions to ship seven goals in a league match since Arsenal in 1953.

Ollie Watkins' first-half hat-trick set Villa en route to an astonishing victory, as Liverpool slipped to a first defeat of the season thanks to a woeful showing at the back in the Midlands.

"We played into their hands, with all the goals," Klopp said. "Then the game has a specific direction.

"We had still good moments, but our good moments lead to nothing, other than Mo's (Mohamed Salah) two goals.

"All their good moments lead to a big chance or goals, and that makes all the difference. All the things you should not do in a football match we did tonight, but all credit to Aston Vila, as they forced us to do those things.

"The first goal had an impact but it shouldn't. We conceded goals like that in the past, but the reaction wasn't good, and we lost the plot."

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith hailed the effort from his side, as they made it three wins from three in extraordinary fashion, to move up to second in the table, ahead of Liverpool in fifth.

"It was just sheer hard work and effort," Smith told Sky Sports. "The work ethic, when Juergen Klopp says 'wow' to you you know you've done something right. The lads were superb, they executed the game plan perfectly. We were at our best today.

"It's a good start, an exceptional result and a really good start. We won't get complacent but we'll enjoy tonight because results like that don't come around too often. We've got a lot of pride and confidence going into the international break."

Share this story
Relentless Man City keep pressure on Arsenal in Premier League title race
City are a point behind Arsenal but with a game in hand.
Kenyans clubs spike their way to knockout stage in Egypt
Kenya Pipeline qualifies for quarterfinals in Africa Club Championships.
Ladak fires 71 nett to win Kerrs memorial tourney at Vet Labs
Hiral Shah, playing off handicap 13, was the Best Sponsor prize winner with a 72 nett.
Arsenal survive Spurs fightback to boost title charge
A five-goal thriller win lifted Arsenal to four points clear at the top.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS