Jurgen Klopp asks Liverpool to calm down after draw against Southampton
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has warned the club not to hit the ‘panic button’ just yet after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Southampton at Sunday’s Premier League match, as per the reports on BBC Sport. Klopp has admitted ‘football is not a fairytale’ after his side were undone by Sadio Mane’s late equalizer at Anfield.
It was his third game in charge and the third consecutive draw as well for the former Borussia Dortmund manager since he took over at Anfield following the sacking of Brendan Rodgers. Both, the club’s supporters and players are eager to pick up their first win under the German coach’s reign.
The Reds almost secured the much-needed three points when super sub Christian Benteke entered the fray. The Belgium striker gave Liverpool the lead with just 13 minutes remaining on the clock. However, Ronald Koeman’s men had other plans as they cancelled the home side’s lead through Mane in the 86th minute.
It was Liverpool’s eighth draw in their last nine games and the newly appointed manager has requested the supporters to calm down and to not expect the immediate upturn in results upon taking charge.
“Of course this moment is not the best moment in the week because we wasted a lot of energy.” he said.
“Southampton haven't lost away from home so we had to work hard. You score the goal and you want to win, but it didn't happen tonight. Football is not a fairytale. Sometimes we write stories like this but it doesn't happen.”
“You see these guys can play football, are technically strong and physically strong but you saw how big the disappointment after Southampton was.”
He further added: “It's only a goal, only a game of football! It's like it's the last thing in your life and we have to calm this down.”
“We can change a lot of things if it's necessary but not all things will work from the start. If you are on something you are not 100 percent better the next day. It's not what you can change in a short time but what we can change and take into the next game. It's our situation so no problem. We can play Wednesday and that's our next chance.”
We deserved a point: Koeman
The away side gave it their all and fought till the end at Anfield. Southampton manager Koeman was more than delighted with the way how his team responded to Benteke’s goal and he’s glad that they are going back home with a point they secured in Merseyside.
“We deserved at least one point but honestly it was not our best performance but we had a good reaction after going down to a great goal from Christian Benteke.” he said.
“Our defensive organisation is good, it is difficult to create chances against us. Teams like Liverpool, if they have a change in management, there is always a change in expectation. I know that, I have played for big teams and I know the expectation on the manager of Liverpool is always bigger than that of Southampton.”