Jurgen Klopp admits mistake after snubbing Liverpool star in Arsenal defeat

04 February 2024 , 20:26

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Jurgen Klopp admits mistake after snubbing Liverpool star in Arsenal defeat

Jurgen Klopp has admitted it may have been a mistake to leave Darwin Nunez out of his starting XI as Liverpool fell to a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal.

The Reds were put to the sword by Mikel Arteta's side as the Gunners regularly tested Liverpool's backline. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring before disastrous defending saw a Gabriel own-goal put the visitors back on level terms at the Emirates.

Liverpool were unable to find a way past Arsenal in the second period however, and an error of their own allowed Gabriel Martinelli an easy goal. A red card for Ibrahima Konate and a final strike from Leandro Trossard ended the game in frustrating fashion for Klopp.

The German coach opted to start Nunez on the bench and utlised a front tree of Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo to start the game. The Uruguay international's involvment coming into the weekend had been uncertain after leaving Liverpool's win over Chelsea in a protective boot.

With Mohamed Salah out injured, Nunez has been involved in more goals than any other Liverpool player, with 22 contributions in all competitions. Having been fit enough to make the squad, some were disappointed not to see him start.

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Klopp was asked following the game if he should have started the 23-year-old and whether the missed his attributes. However, he didn't think that was Liverpool's main problem.

Liverpool's boss said: "Maybe. But I understand it you are right.

Darwin Nunez of Liverpool with manager Jurgen Klopp (Visionhaus/Getty Images)

"We did not play enough football. We had a completely new right triangle. We need to get used to that. We were not involved in the game enough, we wanted Trent more on the wing. Everybody knows better now, even I. Would I do it again like that? Yes."

Klopp was under no illusion that Arsenal were worthy of their victory however. The 56-year-old noted his side needed to adapt throughout the game.

He said: "In general we can admit that Arsenal deserve the three points. The circumstances were a bit strange. The goal for us was similar to the cup game. In the cup game we had even bigger chances.

"We scored the goal at half-time and having nil shots on target, but a goal is a bit stranger. We had to adapt in a lot of moments today.

"We found our way into the game, we had crosses and situations where it was close and then the second half. But if you cannot keep it open, then Arsenal might become a little nervous. The red card did not help and we had to change what we tried a lot."

Scott Trotter