‘We drew to the best team in Europe’: Jurgen Klopp finds positives despite Liverpool taking just a point from 10-man Chelsea as he says Thomas Tuchel’s side had ‘eight players back’ defending following their red card
- Liverpool were held to a point against ten-man Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday
- Chelsea held on for a point despite having a man less in the second-half
- Klopp said it was tough as Chelsea had ‘eight players back’ defending
- Liverpool missed out on the chance to go top of the table with a victory
Jurgen Klopp has claimed that Liverpool drew against the ‘best team of Europe’ after being held to a 1-1 draw against ten-man Chelsea.
Kai Havertz gave Chelsea the lead before Reece James was sent for a handball allowing Mo Salah to score from the penalty spot.
Liverpool had the whole of the second half to find a winner against ten-man Chelsea, but Thomas Tuchel’s side valiantly held on for a point.
Liverpool were unable to take victory against Chelsea despite having an extra man on the field
Klopp took the positives from the game though and said that Chelsea deserved a point.
He told Sky Sports after the game: ‘I saw a really exciting game; fast, hard for both teams. We conceded a goal – that’s not cool – but the goal we scored, the penalty we got was very deserved.
‘I feel for Reece because it was tricky but it’s a clear penalty. Second half, we played good; everyone thinks against 10 men, ‘Come on!’ – there’s an advantage in possession but not in terms of the defensive structure.
Reece James was sent off at the end of the first-half for a handball on the goal line
‘They were playing slightly deeper but they had eight players [back] with Lukaku up. We couldn’t use it – our shots were from distance – but it was a good game, a high-intensity game. Chelsea deserved a draw and we got a point as well.’
When asked whether Liverpool would have fared better against Chelsea without a sending off, he said they drew against the ‘best team in Europe’ of last year.
He said: ‘I don’t know what the result would have been 11 versus 11 but it’s really okay it’s early in the season.
‘We drew against the best team of last year in Europe that’s okay. ‘Seven points from three games – let’s go. We are in good shape, we just have to carry on.’
The result leaves Liverpool third in the table, level on points but behind West Ham and Chelsea on goal difference.
After the international break, Klopp’s side will resume their season away against Leeds United before the Champions League gets back underway.
Klopp praised Tuchel’s side as the ‘best in Europe of last year’ after failing to take advantage