‘It was strange’: Jurgen Klopp questions Liverpool performance against Atlanta

Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp has reacted to the English side shock defeat to Atlanta in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash.

Despite tagged as favourite heading into the match, Liverpool were humbled by a determined Atlanta side.

The reds were defeated 3-0 in front of their home fans. The match marked Liverpool’s first defeat at Anfield since their 5-2 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League over a year ago.

Speaking after the match, Klopp lamented the poor performance, expressing his disbelief at how his side lost their way during the match.

The German tactician noted that his side started well but lost the plot when Atlanta scored the first goal.

“It was a really bad game, oh my God,” said the Liverpool manager. “We started really well but didn’t continue. Before they scored we just lost the plot. We were everywhere and nowhere. Midfield was spread like that, right midfield and left midfield, I didn’t recognise it a bit. it was really strange. In football terms, that’s tactical discipline. But we had a big chance from Darwin [Núñez] and were unlucky with Harvey [Elliott] and then they scored a goal and we kept playing into their hands.

“We played a bad game, we deserved to lose and we must feel that now. But the boys have exactly this night to feel bad about and then we have to build up again for the Crystal Palace game. That’s how it is. A lot of performances tonight were really ‘oops, wow, I didn’t know they could play like that. A lot of the players looked really alone in a lot of moments. It was really bad. In this moment it must feel bad. The lads must go home and sleep badly. Congratulations to Atlanta, really well done.”

Liverpool have a huge mountain to climb when they visit Atlanta for the second leg in a week time. Before then, the reds will shift focus to Crystal Palace whom they face on Sunday.