Jurgen Klopp did not hide from the “horrible spectacle” that was Liverpool’s latest performance when he spoke of what has unfolded in the days since and the need for a response against Ajax.
Here are five key takeaways from the manager’s press conference before Tuesday’s game:
The ‘horror show’
A “horror show”, that was certainly a way of putting Napoli’s defeat, Jurgen!
With a forced break after the game against Napoli, there has been plenty of time to reflect and the coach did not hold back in his assessment of that game and what has happened since.
“Many thoughts, meeting with the players. I have seen the game many times, a real horror show. I showed the guys the situation and they knew, but they did it,” Klopp said.
“Worst game since I’ve been here, and we’ve had some bad games, Aston Villa and some others, but there were always some glimpses of us, in this game in particular, nothing.
“You have to understand why this happens. Eight out of eleven were absolutely below the level that they can play and another three were not at the top level, just in their normal game.
And now’ we have to answer’
There’s no denying the Reds need to show a reaction on Tuesday, no less will be expected at Anfield from manager, players and fans alike.
“We have to show a reaction, definitely. That doesn’t guarantee a result, Ajax is pretty much in an opposite situation after having won all their games,” Klopp said.
“First of all, we have to show that we all have the same idea.
“We have to respond, for this we had to talk, we had to show and we had to train, and that’s what we did.”
It won’t be easy with Ajax winning their last seven games, but the turnaround can start here.
Clearing up Keita’s confusion
There has been a bit of confusion surrounding Naby Keita after he was included in the Guinea squad for the upcoming international break despite his injury.
Keita was not named in Liverpool’s Champions League squad and that made it clear how long-term his thigh injury is, and Klopp reiterated that as he cleared up some confusion.
“No, I don’t expect him to perform as an international,” Klopp told reporters.
“The planned return date was somewhere in October, so we had to make the decision. With Ox it is the same.
“That’s why the two guys are not in the Champions League squad, because after the expected return date, which can always differ a bit, a bit earlier, things like this, [it takes time].
“We had to make the decision now, last week, that’s why we made the decision.”
1 out, 1 in and 1 still out
Andy Robertson is the latest player to fall victim to the injury curse and will be out “at least until after the international break” after suffering a knee injury at Napoli.
The hope is that he can use the international break to recover and return without delay, with the silver lining that he will not add any more minutes to his legs with Scotland this month.
The good news, however, is that Fabio Carvalho “trained normally” after missing Napoli with a dead leg and “will be available” but Curtis Jones remains out.
Why does it seem like a comeback always has to result in another injury?!
minute of silence
There will be a minute’s silence before kick-off to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II following her death last week and Klopp had the perfect answer to a question about “advice” for Liverpool fans.
“It’s the right thing to do. But I don’t think our people need any advice from me about showing respect.
“There are many examples where our people showed exactly the right respect, one that really surprised me, and I was very proud of that moment, it was last year when we played Man United around a very sad situation for the family. of Cristiano Ronaldo.
“It’s clear to me that that’s what we have to do… I’ll show my respect tomorrow night with a minute of silence.”
