14 January 2023 , 17:42
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Jurgen Klopp apologised to Liverpool 's traveling supporters after suffering a humiliating 3-0 defeat away at Brighton.
The Reds continued their winless run in 2023 thanks to two goals from Solly March and a late strike from Danny Welbeck. Klopp admitted post-match that he 'couldn't remember a worse game' and his dismay at his own team's performance was highlighted when he went over to thank Liverpool's fans after full-time.
Putting his hands together in a prayer stance before placing his right hand on his heart, the German apologised in front of an angry away section, signalling that he understood his supporters' frustration. Following a calamitous 3-1 loss against Brentford to start the new year, the Reds only managed a nervy 2-2 draw at home to Wolves last weekend and look like they're in crisis mode.
"Bad. Really bad," Klopp, who's going through arguably the toughest period of his seven-year tenure, declared of Liverpool's latest slump to BBC Sport. "I can't remember a worse game. It's not difficult maybe. Brighton were the better team, it was well deserved. They played really well. It was a very organised team against a not very organised team.
"We gave the ball away, the spaces were too big and we couldn't push up. That is obviously not good, especially against a super well-drilled side like Brighton.
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"They got more confident and we did the opposite. I can imagine they are very happy because it was a great performance and we made it too easy in too many moments."
The 55-year-old then revealed that he'd attempted to alter the course of the game with a change of formation, but it didn't work out. "I had an idea to change the formation which was to try help the team. That was the idea," Klopp noted. "But we never did it properly. We were always a bit in between and that's the worst thing you can do.
"We could have done better but we didn't and that's why I looked the way it did. We need to be creative with the options we have. What I saw today from my team was that they were not really convinced by it. That's it."
Jurgen Klopp apologised to Liverpool fans post-match (John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The Reds lost 3-0 to Brighton to worsen their torrid form (John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Have your say! What needs to change at Liverpool? Join the debate in the comments section.
Asked what was going wrong in the Reds' wretched season, Klopp replied: "How can you explain that? The same players played outstanding football matches but if things aren't properly organised then it can look like that. We were always a bit late and things like this.
"If you don't win key challenges and lose the ball too easily they are the two worst things that can happen in football. There is no formation that can solve that. Yeah, [I am concerned]. How can you not be after a game like this? I cannot stand here and say it didn't happen.
"Of course, we have to be very concerned about it."