- Alberto Moreno had a game to forget against Sevilla in the Champions League
- Defender gave away a penalty, and a free-kick which led to a goal in the 3-3 draw
- Jurgen Klopp insists he still trusts Moreno ‘100 per cent’ amid outside criticism
- In fact, the Liverpool boss shouldered the blame himself after side blew 3-0 lead
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has shielded defender Alberto Moreno from criticism, insisting he still ‘trusts him 100 per cent’ despite recent mistakes.
The Spaniard was arguably at fault for Liverpool’s disappointing draw in Sevilla on Tuesday, giving away a penalty that helped the home side on the comeback trail.
He also gave away a cheap free-kick just outside the box, and was beaten to a header from the resulting set-piece to allow Wissam Ben Yedder to score.
Jurgen Klopp spoke to the press ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Chelsea
Reds boss Klopp defended Alberto Moreno from criticism after he struggled against Sevilla
But Klopp was keen to deflect the blame away from the defender, insisting instead that he was at fault.
‘I had a talk with Alberto,’ Klopp said at his pre-Chelsea press conference. ‘He’s not the player to blame. I am 100 per cent responsible.
‘I told him I still trust him 100 per cent.’
Liverpool are currently in the build-up to a huge Premier League game against Chelsea on Saturday evening, where Mohamed Salah will come up against his old club.
The Egyptian has come on leaps and bounds since his spell at Stamford Bridge, but Klopp does not believe he disappointed the first time he was in England.
‘He’s improved a lot for sure, physically,’ Klopp noted. ‘I saw him for the first time when he was at Basle. He was already quick!
Moreno gave away a penalty and a costly free-kick as Sevilla came back from three goals down
Klopp doesn’t understand comments about Mohamed Salah failing during spell at Chelsea
‘If he had played better at Chelsea we wouldn’t have him so I’m happy about the situation.
‘Disappointing time at Chelsea? I can’t get it. He was a young player who didn’t come through. It was a similar situation with Kevin De Bruyne.’
Liverpool go into the tie three points behind Chelsea, but in an impressive run of form in the league. For Klopp, the goal is simple.
‘Our job is to stay consistent. Now it’s Chelsea, we have tough job to do against the champions. Playing them at 5.30 and beating them at 7.15 if possible.’
Salah is in fine form ahead of the game against his former club Chelsea on Saturday evening