The third loss of the campaign for Liverpool confirmed their worst points return at this time in a Premier League season in ten years.
Goals from Nunez and Firmino were not enough for the Reds as Arsenal ran out 3-2 winners in a memorable match at the Emirates stadium.
After eight games, the Reds have 10 points on the board, 14 fewer than leaders Arsenal. Their early-season struggles have now compelled manager Jurgen Klopp to admit their title aspirations are already over.
10 – With 10 points from eight games so far, this is Liverpool’s worst return at this stage of a Premier League campaign since 2012-13 (9 points), when they ultimately finished 7th. Fragile. pic.twitter.com/GcDNvVNvIX
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 9, 2022
What Does Klopp Have To Say About Liverpool Title Aspirations?
“We’re not in the title race,” Klopp said. “We have problems at the moment, but we have to continue.
“In a situation like ours, we will go out there and fight. We are not here for being happy with the situation and thinking about last year.
“We are very disappointed. Around all three goals we made decisive mistakes. The first goal is not what you need. A bad start.
“We start controlling the game against a very aggressive, full-of-confidence Arsenal side. We showed we’re here for a reason, scored an equaliser, a wonderful goal. Then it’s an open game and advantage for us.
“Then we make a bad decision before half time, what are we doing? Worst possible start, worst possible end.”
Klopp also questioned why Gabriel Magalhaes wasn’t penalized for a handball in the first half but Thiago Alcantara’s challenge on Gabriel Jesus, which gave Arsenal the victory, wasn’t.
“Arsenal came out very aggressive [for the second half]. We scored an equaliser, then a real open game, slight advantage for us. Then the penalty happens,” he added.
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“He thought immediately it was a penalty, which was interesting. [VAR] Mr England had a look and if two refs think the same it’s the truth we have to live with.
“If there was contact – and I’m not sure there was but there might have been soft contact – the player goes again on both feet and then down and that’s an indication something might have been made up… But not for the refs.
“But they thought it was clear not a handball in the first half when Diogo put the pull on [Gabriel’s] arm. We cannot change that.”
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