Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reacts to Thursday’s 2-0 Europa League win against Union Saint-Gillois.
Liverpool has been cautioned by Jurgen Klopp that they cannot afford to keep squandering opportunities if they are to advance this season in the Europa League.
On Thursday night, the Reds defeated Union Saint-Gilloise, who are now atop the Belgian division, 2-0 at home thanks to goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota at the conclusion of each half.
With two victories from two games, Liverpool leads Toulouse by two points at the top of Group E. Following the international break, Liverpool will play Toulouse again.
The Reds manager, though, is of the opinion that his team is capable of better, and he highlighted the aspect of the performance that most disappointed him.
“I liked the start and the result,” said Klopp. “And the goals, the chances we created. What I didn’t like is we lost rhythm after 25 minutes. It’s very difficult to keep rhythm in games like this but it’s important.
“We should have scored earlier but got the second in stoppage time. It was a mature, professional performance, got the result that we wanted but know we can do better.
“There were a lot of good individual things, Trent (Alexander-Arnold) back, (Jarell) Quansah in his first international game really good, Ibou (Konate) really good.
“There were plenty of positives but we could have been better. We should use our chances better more often if we want to be successful in the competition. I’m not angry or concerned, it’s just how it is. We know have to do better.”
If Caoimhin Kelleher had not been ruled out due to needing 12 stitches in a knee wound after a collision during training, Klopp would have made 10 changes for the encounter.
And the manager of Liverpool has justified his choice to heavily rotate his team as the Reds are still fighting on four fronts.
“I wouldn’t say you didn’t see a drop but that was not perfect in Tottenham as well,” said Reds boss.
“Always we speak about it then a week later we miss five players. We’ve spoken before and people have said you have five strikers with fantastic talent, and then the next week we have three and one is out for a while and one is suspended.
“How can we stand here not having an injury crisis – and I hope it stays like that – and not change your team every week. We need a specific amount of players for four competitions, and that’s what we have.
“We changed nine, it would have been 10 if Caoimh could have played. It’s necessary because we play four competitions.”
The other Group E game of the night saw Toulouse defeat LASK 1-0.