Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool’s gripping 1-1 draw in opposition to Premier League title rivals Arsenal was marred by the intense harm suffered by Kostas Tsimikas when the Reds defender collided together with his supervisor.
Klopp’s aspect hit again to remain inside one level of leaders Arsenal as Liverpool ahead Mohamed Salah’s blistering strike cancelled out Gabriel Magalhaes’ early header at Anfield.
However the Liverpool boss was left to rue a weird incident that led to Tsimikas being dominated out for a prolonged spell with a damaged collarbone.
The Greek left-back collided with Arsenal ahead Bukayo Saka late within the first half and went sprawling into Klopp, who was proper in entrance of him on the touchline.
Klopp went flying nevertheless it was Tsimikas who stayed down earlier than being helped to the tunnel holding his shoulder.
It’s a setback for Liverpool, who have been already with out first-choice left-back Andrew Robertson, with a shoulder drawback.
“It was massively overshadowed by Kostas Tsimikas’ collarbone concern, positively damaged, so he’s out for a very long time,” Klopp stated.
Whereas Klopp was pissed off by Tsimikas’ harm, he took coronary heart from the way in which his staff went toe to toe with Arsenal.
“Arsenal has the higher begin, with a nook and a free kick, they do that basically properly. We may have carried out higher with the purpose,” Klopp stated.
“After halftime, we must always have scored. If we’d have gained? I don’t know however we had the moments, the excessive press was there too.
“Arsenal are actually distinctive however for these 20 minutes we had them, we shattered them barely. We felt that they have been shaky and we must always have used that.”
Klopp was additionally infuriated by the VAR choice to not award a first-half penalty for what seemed like a transparent handball by Martin Odegaard.
“Sure, I’ve seen it. I’m fairly certain somebody will come to clarify to me why it was not a handball however I don’t understand how?” he stated.
“How can a man in an workplace see that and never come to the conclusion that perhaps it may very well be well worth the referee having one other look?”
– ‘Unbelievable recreation’ –
The hard-fought battle left Liverpool in second place, with Arsenal sitting in pole place heading into the hectic Christmas schedule.
“In case you are undecided the place we belong within the desk that consequence exhibits that up there may be the place we belong. Now now we have to go ahead from right here,” Klopp stated.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was delighted with the way in which his gamers stood as much as Liverpool within the Anfield cauldron.
“We needed to do this in opposition to a staff that performs that method on this ambiance. To try this at present exhibits that we are able to go to any floor and play that method,” he stated.
The Gunners haven’t gained at Anfield within the league since 2012, however Arteta insisted they held their very own in a bodily conflict.
“A giant take a look at and we completely got here by means of it. The boys have been unbelievable. One of the intense, hectic video games I’ve witnessed in 20 years on this league which says rather a lot,” he stated.
“It was an unbelievable recreation of soccer with two groups that raised the bar to a different degree, either side needed to win and performed as such.
“Liverpool are the most effective staff on this planet at making a recreation like that. One minute now we have an opportunity with Jesus, and 5 seconds later the ball is in your personal field.”
On Arsenal holding the highest spot at Christmas, Arteta added: “This enables us to have a lovely Christmas dinner with our households tomorrow after which again to work to organize for the following recreation.”
AFP