Klopp disputes Chelsea leveller, Liverpool ‘feel unlucky’

Ian Watson

Jurgen Klopp thought Liverpool were unlucky after a VAR decision went against them in the 2-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Chelsea.

Substitute Eden Hazard fired Chelsea through with a stunning late goal at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Daniel Sturridge gave Liverpool the lead just before the hour mark, with Emerson scoring his first goal for the Blues in response, but the night belonged to Hazard.

Playing a one-two on the right before jinking past three players and cutting inside, the Belgium star fizzed a strike across Simon Mignolet and into the net to win it for Chelsea.

Klopp, though, was not happy with the equaliser and claimed the initial incident was not a free-kick and the goal was offside.

Klopp told Sky Sports: “We needed to learn from the game. We knew how Chelsea wanted to play, but it’s difficult. We had a new midfield and we gave them a little too much space and were not compact enough and so they played how the did.

“We still had the bigger chances in the first half. But there was a lot of work to do (at half-time). There will be a lot of discussions about VAR because it is not perfect.”

Klopp was asked if he thought it was a free-kick leading up to the equaliser.

“No, I don’t think so. the linesman is in a really good position. There was so much in the game. Unfortunately in the end we have to take it. We wanted to win it, we feel unlucky, we hit the bar,” said Klopp.

“I think the first goal is offside. It is difficult for the referee. Three players are offside – two for sure. They watched it and didn’t think it was offside. We have to take it.

“This is good preparation for Saturday but we have to defend better.”

“The formation was good with the new player and we could add them on to our matchday squad because they all played really good. They may need a bit of time.

“We feel unlucky. We had the chances to win it, we hit the crossbar and a good situation with Shaqiri in the box.”