Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool ‘lost the plot’ as they were humbled 3-0 by Atalanta in the Europa League on Thursday night.
The manager’s gamble of making six change to his starting line-up backfired as Gianluca Scamacca (2) and Mario Pasalic ensured the Italian underdogs became the first team to win at Anfield this season.
Klopp looked dumbfounded at how his side collapsed leaving them needing a miracle in the quarter-final second leg next week.
Liverpool fans had hoped the Europa League final in Dublin on May 22 would give Klopp a perfect send-off before leaving the club.
‘It was a really bad game, oh my God,’ groaned the German manager.
Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool ‘lost the plot’ as they were humbled 3-0 by Atalanta
Atalanta earned a shock 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield in the first leg of their quarter-final
‘We started really well and then didn’t continue. Before they even scored, we just lost the plot a little bit.
‘We were everywhere and nowhere. Midfield was spread like that, right and left.
‘I didn’t recognise it a bit, it was really quite strange.’
A blunder by goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher gifted Atalanta the half-time lead.
Klopp sent on Mo Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Andy Robertson at the interval and Luis Diaz after an hour but to no avail as things got worse.
He defended his team selection with Liverpool in the midst of a thrilling three-horse Premier League title race, with Crystal Palace visiting Anfield on Sunday.
‘I get the question 100 per cent, if we lose a game, that’s how it is – the changes. But one of the reasons I would do exactly the same again is because if we want to be good in the rest of the season, we have to make changes.
‘I am responsible for this result first, I know that. But the decision (about the starting line-up) would remain the same.’
Klopp was left to rue making six changes with the Premier League title race in mind
Former West Ham forward Gianluca Scamacca scored in each half for visitors at Anfield
Liverpool once overturned a 3-0 deficit to beat Barcelona and reach the Champions League final in 2019.
Klopp isn’t making any bombastic predictions about a repeat next week in Italy, however.
‘Can we win 3-0? I have no idea,’ he added.
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