Jürgen Klopp: It's not over, we'll have Anfield behind us
Jürgen Klopp insisted Liverpool's Europa League dream is far from over, despite suffering a 1-0 defeat against Villarreal in the first leg of the semi-final in Spain on Thursday night.
Read on to see what the manager had to say during his post-match press conference…
On Liverpool’s overall performance level at El Madrigal…
Of course, I am pleased with the performance. In a lot of parts of the performance we did really well. Everybody who knew nothing about Villarreal knows more now. They are a good side, but Liverpool are a good side too and in an away game, playing football like this, controlling a game like this in most parts of the game, I think is not too usual. Then, the 92nd minute, a counter-attack – it sounds like it is, not too good and everybody knows it and it should not happen. We had this great moment with Alberto [Moreno], we had the header with Christian [Benteke], and so maybe a little bit the youth came into their minds. Until then, it was a professional performance and that was OK. It is the first leg and my first thinking when everybody was celebrating around me was ‘sorry, but it’s not over – you have to come to Anfield too’. We will be ready.
On whether he thought about bringing on a second striker earlier…
Phil [Coutinho] was ill. We had one or two situations in defence with set-pieces and Christian can help us in this situation – and that was the only reason. It was not really for attacking, but we had this moment and I thought it wasn’t a bad idea [to bring Benteke on]. We had no luck. I was really, really, really disappointed when I came in the dressing room and everybody told me [Adam] Lallana was not offside, which I was pretty sure of. In big games you need right decisions, but it is like it is.
On his confidence for the second leg…
I am no more or less confident then I was before the game. I have more information now – and I know about this tournament and if you win today 1-0 what would have happened? It’s not that we’d say it was a holiday time at home [for the second leg]. Now we have to rule a few things, we have to find solutions for a few things, but I saw we are in a good way. I know and saw a lot of things that showed we can [win the second leg]. It doesn’t mean that we will, but with the help of Anfield we can do a lot. Please don’t compare everything with Dortmund, but things are possible and 1-0 is not the biggest result in the world. I think now Villarreal know more about us and now we have more respect. We were an English team, a big name, but no quality. Now we are an English team, big name, better quality and we will try everything.
On whether he felt Villarreal set up for a draw…
It’s easy in your job when a team doesn’t play better to think they want to play like this. Of course they would have been satisfied with 0-0, we would’ve been satisfied. It’s the only normal result, if nobody scores a goal it’s 0-0, that doesn’t mean anything. They are strong in counter-attacks, we have to score at home, they could make a counter-attack – nothing changed. Two strong sides, we knew it before, but I’m really happy. Our [development] started with high, energetic football but it’s not that we want to run like rabbits all the time. Today we had to be really patient, we played football, we opened the wing, we played between the lines, as you have to do against this team. That’s what we did, so I was pleased with this. We didn’t want to concede a goal but we did, that’s the situation, but I didn’t think before the game that Villarreal would be happy with a 0-0. If, in the game [I thought that], it’s because of the performance of my team. After the game, [Villarreal] don’t have to think about it because they won the first half [of the tie], not more.
On whether he expects a similar game at Anfield…
A completely different game. We’re looking forward to Anfield.
On whether Liverpool made mistakes contributing to Villarreal’s goal…
If you think after this game you should figure out the different mistakes we made before the goal, do it. I will not help you, I’m not interested in goals. I’ve managed 16 years, how many mistakes do you think I’ve seen before goals? Unbelievable mistakes! I don’t think about things like this, it happened, it was not too smart to be honest. That’s a counter-attack, where’s the left-back, where’s whoever? [There are] a lot of things we can ask but it makes no sense, that’s development, that’s what we have to do. In this moment, it happened, accept it, don’t be worried about it. It’s no moment for disappointment. If the players want to be angry for 10 minutes, do it, but then look forward to the rematch at Anfield, that’s all.