Jurgen Klopp admitted that one Liverpool player who ‘set the tempo’ during the first half against Atalanta on Thursday night ultimately ran ‘out of gas’.

The Reds bowed out of the Europa League after failing to overcome the 3-0 deficit from last week’s clash at Anfield, but it wasn’t for the want of trying from Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was making his first start since 10 February after two months out through injury.

Speaking after last night’s match, the manager conceded that his team were unable to keep up the pace they’d shown prior to half-time, with the vice-captain’s influence waning as the minutes ticked by.

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Klopp said (via liverpoolfc.com): “The biggest problem for us in the second half was that we couldn’t keep that tempo. For us, you saw tonight in Trent Alexander-Arnold which player we didn’t have for a while now.

“As long as he was fresh, together with Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] he set the tempo, the rhythm, the direction of the game. Obviously he was running a bit out of gas [after half-time].”

READ MORE: One moment from £120k-p/w Liverpool player had Steve McManaman’s blood boiling last night

READ MORE: ‘If you look…’ – Ex-Liverpool duo were left raging over first-half moment v Atalanta

Trent’s 72-minute appearance last night was his longest involvement in a match since he played the entirety of the FA Cup win over Arsenal on 7 January (Transfermarkt), and with Liverpool going all-out in the first half as they tried to reel in Atalanta, it was understandable that the 25-year-old ultimately faded.

He was one of the main instigators of the revival that the Reds threatened in the early stages, winning the penalty that Mo Salah converted and bypassing the Nerazzurri press with some pinpoint long-range passing.

As per Sofascore, the vice-captain took 90 touches at the Gewiss Stadium, executing one key pass and finding a teammate with seven long balls. In the words of Paul Gorst, he provided ‘what Liverpool have missed’ recently with his wizardry on the ball.

It was a shame that Trent couldn’t keep up that early tempo beyond half-time as he naturally tired in only his second game back from his two-month injury layoff, and unfortunately the rest of his teammates also seemed to wilt after they re-emerged from the dressing room at the interval.

We now face into a frantic week containing three crucial Premier League fixtures in seven days, but the 25-year-old’s influence should grow even further with each passing appearance as he seeks to deliver a winning send-off for Klopp at Anfield over the next month.

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Liverpool fans are coming to terms with the fact that our season is rapidly falling apart and Jurgen Klopp’s interaction with one of his players showed how it’s affecting them all.

Cameras captured the moment the boss shared a hug with Alexis Mac Allister after the full-time whistle, with clear emotion being present.

READ MORE: (Video) “The reality is…”: Van Dijk’s honest message to fans and teammates after Europa elimination

Let’s hope that we can quickly turn these results around and soon be back to our winning best, something that will need to happen if we want to try and win the Premier League.

You can view the moment between Klopp and Mac Allister via @CBSSportsGolazo on X:

Jurgen Klopp's final European match with Liverpool pic.twitter.com/ewIDOpWJ6h

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 18, 2024

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Is there a sight more depressing that Jurgen Klopp appearing sapped of belief?

We’d venture this one will take some beating as Liverpool shuffled out of the Europa League with a whimper despite defeating Atalanta 1-0 in Bergamo.

The Merseysiders were in need of at least three goals to take the tie the distance but failed to capitalise on Mo Salah’s first-half penalty in Italy.

A second-half so immensely lacklustre it’s probably better not being spoken about followed, leaving the travelling support short-changed ahead of their return trip to L4.

What a disappointing end to Klopp’s European journey with Liverpool. This wasn’t supposed to be the way it ended with our affable tactician, was it?

You can catch the photo below, courtesy of Empire’s X account:

pic.twitter.com/kj2iYpRdQW

— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) April 18, 2024

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Alisson Becker had to be reminded of his position during Liverpool’s Europa League clash with Atalanta.

Ian Doyle posted on X (formerly Twitter) during the tie in Bergamo, spotting Jurgen Klopp telling off his No.1 for staying too far away from goal.

Alisson that far out of his goal that he's in the centre-circle as he makes a pass forward. Can't help but think that isn't in the gameplan this evening – gets a quick reminder from Klopp that he's a goalkeeper… which is just as well as he has to save at feet of Miranchuk

— Ian Doyle (@IanDoyleSport) April 18, 2024

The Merseysiders lead 1-0 at the Gewiss Stadium, courtesy of Mo Salah’s penalty opener, as things currently stand.

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Alisson’s return a huge boost

Caoimhin Kelleher’s contributions in this period shouldn’t be forgotten. The Republic of Ireland international played a key part in ensuring we made it to this stage in the knockouts.

That said, it simply can’t be argued that Alisson is a class above most ‘keepers in world football. His return to the first-XI, first slotting back in against Crystal Palace, could prove to be the difference between additional silverware and Jurgen Klopp’s farewell tour having the wind knocked out of its sails.

Now then… just the small matter of one of the potentially great comebacks in Europe we need to progress to the semi-finals.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Niko Kovac rumours, what if Amorim stays at Sporting? Summer contract calls, Crystal Palace review and much more!

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Atalanta seemed to catch Liverpool by surprise in the first leg of the quarter final and Jurgen Klopp was quick to praise the performance of one man in particular.

Speaking with the press about Gianluca Scamacca, the 56-year-old said: “He was exceptional against us. He was really, really good – in England we say he was a ‘handful’!

“He is difficult to play against, great in the air and great on the floor. I liked him when he was at West Ham, I didn’t know him too well when he came to West Ham.

READ MORE: (Video) Klopp resurrects inspirational failure quote ahead of improbable European clash

“It didn’t work out there 100 per cent but that can happen because the Premier League is a difficult league to play but you can see he has great quality.”

With a brace at Anfield, the 25-year-old has 14 goals in all competitions this season but Virgil van Dijk will be hoping that he and his defence can make sure this number doesn’t rise any further.

Let’s hope we can keep the former West Ham striker quiet, as we look to score enough ourselves so that we can book a place in the semi final.

You can watch Klopp’s comments on Scamacca (from 24:01) via Liverpool FC on YouTube:

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If Liverpool want to book a place in the Europa League semi-finals then we need to pull off an improbable performance, something Jurgen Klopp will of course be hoping for.

Speaking with the media, the boss said: “I remember I said if we fail then let’s fail in the most beautiful way – and that’s exactly how I see it again.

“But, I said it already, we want to win the game – and if we want to win the game then we better play good. If we play good we have a chance to win it and then we will see. It is exactly like that.”

READ MORE: (Video) Salah kicks Alexander-Arnold during open training session

It’s a typically inspirational comment from the 56-year-old that will both encourage the players that a comeback is possible, whilst removing pressure from needing to achieve it.

We all hope the game ends in another comeback from this great team and with the odds stacked against us – why not make history once again?

You can watch Klopp’s comments (from 17:00) via Liverpool FC on YouTube:

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Liverpool fans are fully aware that a new era is upon us this summer when Jurgen Klopp leaves and Rafa Benitez has provided some advice for the next person in charge.

Speaking with Sky Sports, the Spaniard said: “To manage a top side you need a special character.

READ MORE: (Video) Alexander-Arnold hilariously accuses Neville of ‘gegging in’ during interview

“It’s very difficult to replace someone like Klopp and everyone expects the next manager to win. It’s not easy when you go in after a successful manager.

“There are too many things that you don’t want to change, but you have to adapt to your mentality and style. This transition is always difficult.

“When I signed for Liverpool they told me I had three years just to compete, so any manager will need time.”

READ MORE: (Video) Alexander-Arnold names ex-Man Utd man in dream dinner guests

It’s going to be a huge job to replace the 56-year-old at Anfield and not many not better about the pressure of arriving on Merseyside with big expectations – than our Istanbul gaffer.

We as fans will allow the new boss time to bed in but it’s going to need a special and talented person to try and capture the imagination of supporters and players quickly.

You can watch Benitez’s comments via @SkySportsPL on X:

"You need a special character"

Rafa Benitez says whoever takes over from Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool will need time and it will not be easy pic.twitter.com/xhZ7LWHlAr

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 16, 2024

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Glen Johnson has admitted he’s ‘concerned’ for whichever manager succeeds Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool boss in the summer but has suggested one current Premier League tactician in particular could be a decent replacement for the German.

Klopp announced back in January that the current campaign will be his last one on Merseyside after conceding that he’s ran out of the energy required to occupy the hot seat at Anfield.

Having won every major trophy possible during his time at L4 it means that whoever comes in to replace the 56-year-old will have a serious job on their hands.

Current Bayer Leverkusen boss and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is expected to stay in his current role beyond the summer despite being strongly linked with a return to Anfield while Sporting Lisbon head coach Ruben Amorim is considered the next favourite to succeed Klopp.

“I don’t know a great deal about him but result wise, he’s clearly doing a brilliant job at Sporting Lisbon,” Johnson told Betfred (via Liverpool World). “However, I’m concerned for anyone that has to fill Jürgen Klopp’s shoes. I’m sure that Liverpool will have successful managers again in the future, but to immediately follow Jürgen is a tough job. Anyone who goes there now has a very uphill job to do. It doesn’t matter who you are, it’s going to be a tough job.

“Even though I’ve said that Jürgen Klopp will be a tough act to follow, any manager that comes in will be inheriting a great squad and it will be an improvement in terms of player quality than any candidate would have had at their disposal previously. 

READ MORE: Editor’s Column: It’s not just the bad finishing, you know…

“I know people will think that I’m absolutely mad, but Mauricio Pochettino is a big name that can go into that job and grab everyone’s attention. That would excite people despite what’s happened at Chelsea this season because I don’t believe what’s gone on there is Mauricio’s fault. You don’t become a bad manager overnight and if he inherited that Liverpool squad, then I believe he could do good things at Anfield.”

It will be difficult to replace a man who ended Liverpool’s 30-year long wait for a league title and also delivered our sixth European Cup amongst many other trophies but it’s a job that should excite the top managers in Europe rather than scare them.

Reds supporters will understand that any new manager will require time to adjust to life at the club and get to know his new players while implementing their own style of play.

Amorim currently has Sporting Lisbon four points clear at the top of the table – four points clear of city rivals Benfica and with a game in hand – but has reaffirmed his commitment to the side from the Portuguese capital recently.

We have a minimum of seven games to play under Klopp before he calls it a day so let’s hope for some miracles to add a further two trophies to his collection!

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Niko Kovac rumours, what if Amorim stays at Sporting? Summer contract calls, Crystal Palace review and much more!

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Paul Merson has questioned why Harvey Elliott wasn’t handed more game time during Liverpool’s shock 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The Reds had the opportunity to return to the top of the Premier League table had they beaten the Selhurst Park-based outfit at the weekend but instead ended the weekend third in the table with Manchester City currently occupying top spot ahead of Arsenal.

Despite Jurgen Klopp promising a reaction from his side’s 3-0 Europa League defeat to Atalanta on Thursday night, the Merseysiders threw in a lacklustre first half performance and then wasted a handful of huge opportunities to find the back of the net after the break.

The likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott were all introduced from the bench to help try and rescue the Reds but Merson believes the latter should’ve been given more of a chance to influence the game.

“Klopp’s a great manager,” the former Arsenal man told Sky Sports (via Rousing The Kop). “Why are you bringing Harvey Elliott on with ten minutes to go?  Eight minutes to go? Give him 25-30. That’s one thing he is, a very good substitute. He affects football matches. But managers feel the pressure as well.”

READ MORE: ‘Why would you…’ – European champion thinks £150k-p/w ace made a mistake by joining Liverpool

Our No. 19 has struggled to break into the starting XI so far this term but has impressed whenever called upon from the bench.

The England youth international has three goals and seven assists to his name this season (across all competitions) and has spoken recently about his desire to start more games for his boyhood club.

The 21-year-old can be deployed in an advanced midfield role or as part of the front three and has the ability to calve open defences with his superb passing ability and impressive vision.

He does bring a lot of energy to the side when brought off the bench but he’ll be eager to make his mark from the start when handed the chance to do so between now and the end of the season.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Niko Kovac rumours, what if Amorim stays at Sporting? Summer contract calls, Crystal Palace review and much more!

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Conor Coady has noticed a discernible change in Jurgen Klopp’s demeanour following Liverpool’s defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Speaking to Sky Sports shortly after the final whistle, the Reds manager said that the result felt ‘really, really rubbish’ and the game was ‘horrible to watch’, excusing only Curtis Jones as he accused his players of not ‘chasing’ enough.

During a guest appearance on BBC 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, Coady said that was struck by how ‘downbeat’ the German came across during his post-match interview.

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The ex-Liverpool defender stated: “Klopp’s interview after the game, we all felt the same. We all felt it was a little bit downbeat.

“Sometimes when Liverpool lose he’s still got a smile on this face, he seems to smile on the line when a goal goes in and different things. You always think there’s something coming from Jurgen Klopp. It was very downbeat.

“You just wonder a little bit when he came out and did the interview when he was leaving about how tired he was, he’d had enough, it was a strain on him. Is that now becoming a strain on the players?

“The amount of balls they lost first half and the mistakes they were making, the three midfielders. It’s not known for Liverpool midfielders to be doing that. You just wonder if everything that’s happened with the manager this season is just taking its toll come the end of the season.”

READ MORE: ‘It’s not a good stat…’ – Theo Walcott left stunned upon learning of damning Liverpool fact

READ MORE: (Video) Four minutes of madness from Atalanta may give Liverpool hope of another famous comeback

When Klopp announced in January that he’d be stepping down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season, he attributed his decision to ‘running out of energy’.

Having been in charge of one of the biggest clubs in world football for the best part of a decade, with the strain of trying to compete with a ludicrously wealthy Manchester City in that time, it’s no wonder those exertions seem to have taken a toll on the 56-year-old.

Hopes of sending him out on the high of winning four trophies have since ended, and the Reds’ recent slump has left them all but out of the Europa League and requiring favours from elsewhere to clinch the Premier League title, in addition to taking care of their own business.

There’s a danger of Klopp’s wonderful Liverpool reign ending in anti-climax if the team’s post-Easter form is maintained to the end of the season, and it’d be a crying shame to see one of our greatest managers bow out on a muted note.

Hopefully the squad can lift themselves and produce a barnstorming finish to the campaign. The German deserves a glorious send-off, not an exit on a whimper.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Niko Kovac rumours, what if Amorim stays at Sporting? Summer contract calls, Crystal Palace review and much more!

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Jurgen Klopp’s time at Liverpool has been legendary and he would be the first to thank those who have played under him during this period, including Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Speaking on The Overlap about the manager, our vice captain said: “There have been times when I’ve needed a b********* and there’s been times when I’ve not needed it, and I need a bit of love and guidance, and he’s been there for me and he’s someone that I can go into his office, even if it’s not football related, and speak to him to vent and get things off my chest.

“He’s always encouraging the lads to go into his office and speak to him, and he’s there to give answers and be honest about the decisions he makes. If you’re going to the manager with questions, the gaffer has to be honest with you.”

READ MORE: (Video) Alexander-Arnold shares new manager fears ahead of Klopp’s departure

It’s a refreshingly honest assessment from the Scouser and shows why the German is so respected by those who are lucky enough to play under him.

It was always going to be a big job to replace the 56-year-old but the more we learn about how extra special the manager is, it’s looking even tougher.

You can watch Alexander-Arnold’s comments on Klopp (from 3:33) via The Overlap on YouTube:

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On the anniversary of the Hillsborough Stadium disaster, it was fitting that representatives from the club paid their respects at Anfield – including Jurgen Klopp and Virgil van Dijk.

As reported on liverpoolfc.com, those present were: ‘LFC CEO Billy Hogan and Sir Kenny Dalglish, and the respective managers and captains of the club’s men’s and women’s teams…

‘So too did representatives of the Reds’ U21s and U18s squads, as well as club ambassadors Ian Rush, John Barnes and Natasha Dowie, and later the Lord Mayor, Cllr Mary Rasmussen, and Leader of Liverpool City Council Cllr Liam Robinson.’

This is always a day when the club, the city and the football world reflects on events that led to loss of 97 lives in 1989 – whilst the search for justice continues after all this time.

The thoughts of everyone at Empire of the Kop are with those who lost their lives that day, their families, the survivors and every affected by this disastrous event in football history.

You can view the images of the club representatives at Anfield via liverpoolfc.com:

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Liverpool fans will still be coming to terms with the loss against Crystal Palace that has seriously hampered our chances of winning the Premier League and Jurgen Klopp gave his honest take on events.

Speaking with beIN Sports, the boss said: “If we play like we did in the first half, how should we win the league?

“If we play like we did in the second half, we can win football games.

READ MORE: (Video) “100% it’s gone” Merson makes damning Premier League title prediction

“If we can win football games, we will see how many we can win and then we want to be around when the other guys struggle, if they struggle.”

It was an interview that is tough for our supporters to watch as we can all see and feel the hurt from the 56-year-old, as we let a massive chance pass us by.

Although Arsenal losing softened the blow, it just means that we had a greater chance of putting success in our hands but instead let it pass us by.

You can watch Klopp’s comments via @beINSPORTS_EN on X:

"If we play like that in the first half why should we win the league?"

Jürgen Klopp was reflective as Liverpool dropped points against Crystal Palace.

@zmansour75#beINPL #LIVCRY #LFC pic.twitter.com/JTUeZDHihW

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) April 14, 2024

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It’s been a disastrous run of results for Liverpool and in a matter of weeks, we may well have thrown away our chances of a fairytale ending for Jurgen Klopp, with Gary Neville sharing his thoughts.

Speaking on the Gary Neville Podcast, the former defender said: “Jurgen Klopp is getting the very best out of this Liverpool team and this Liverpool squad and what we’re now seeing is probably what they are.”

READ MORE: (Video) Ex-Arsenal man’s three-word Liverpool prediction illustrates lost form

It seems a little too harsh to say that this team is one that would lose this number of games and keep dropping points but given our recent form, it’s hard to argue against it.

Our manager would be the first to direct credit towards a squad that has got us into a position that we were competing on four fronts but time for a reaction is quickly running out.

You can view Neville’s comments (from 11:29) via Sky Sports Premier League on YouTube:

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Neil Lennon couldn’t help but notice Jurgen Klopp’s reaction to the goal which consigned Liverpool to a second home defeat in four days this afternoon.

Crystal Palace left Anfield with a 1-0 victory courtesy of Eberechi Eze’s 14th-minute strike, with the 25-year-old left with charitable time and space to steer the ball past Alisson Becker for the match-winning moment.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, the former Celtic manager pointed the finger of blame at several Reds players over that costly moment.

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Lennon said: “I’m just looking at Jurgen Klopp’s reaction. I’m a good lip-reader; he’s gone ‘wow’. It’s a really good move from Palace, nine or 10 passes, cut back to Eze. Down Palace’s left-hand side, they are getting a lot of joy.

“Bradley is roaming and wandering and they have been punished. Endo is not picking up, Van Dijk is not picking up. Konate is ball-watching. It’s a wonderful goal.”

READ MORE: (Video) ‘They haven’t got…’ – Paul Merson makes peculiar Liverpool claim despite costly defeat v Palace

READ MORE: ‘Absolutely bonkers’ – BBC pundit stunned by ‘incredible’ 75th-minute moment in Liverpool defeat

Klopp appeared to be stunned and speechless over the manner in which Liverpool conceded that goal, and his reaction was bound to have been mirrored by Reds fans everywhere.

Jamie Carragher spoke before the match of how LFC needed to tighten up defensively and kick their habit of falling behind if they’re to stay in the title race, but those familiar failings were borne out again today, and this time there wasn’t to be a determined comeback to secure victory.

From the defensive lapse which led to Eze scoring, to wasting a succession of chances in the second half, this result was a collective blemish from Klopp’s side, whose form has nosedived at the worst possible stage of the season.

Klopp seemed to be at a loss afterwards to explain how Liverpool got nothing out of this match, and one can only imagine how he dealt with the lack of concentration over the goal which ultimately consigned his team to a hugely damaging defeat.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Could a surprise candidate now replace Klopp? The search after Xabi Alonso, and much more!

The post “I’m a good lip reader…” – BBC pundit spotted Klopp’s reaction to Eze’s winning goal appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.