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Klopp sights fatigue for L'pool defeat

Cape Town - Jurgen Klopp said fatigue played a part in their Crystal Palace defeat, after Liverpool played in the Europa League at Rubin Kazan.

However, the Merseyside Reds manager refused to use the travel itinerary as an excuse for their 2-1 loss.

"We have to learn that it is we who decide. We decide how good we are, how awake we are, how tired we are, nobody else," said Klopp.

"Today we needed a few minutes (to start) and by then it was too late. We did many, many good things on the day but not enough. Anybody who thinks we gave everything we had tonight is wrong.

"Of course we could do more, maybe not in terms of running, but by being more awake from the beginning. Believe me, we have to learn this," added Klopp, who won back-to-back Bundesliga titles when in charge of former club Borussia Dortmund in 2010/11 and 2011/12.

To make matters worse for Klopp, Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho limped out of Anfield on crutches after twisting his knee badly in an awkward fall during the first half.

"That was the worst thing about tonight," Klopp said.

"I would rather have lost 4-1 and keep him in the team but we will have to wait and see. Let's hope it's not too serious."

Liverpool's slow start saw Yannick Bolasie shoot Palace in front before Philippe Coutinho equalised just before half-time.

But it was Palace who emerged triumphant, with manager Alan Pardew masterminding an Eagles' victory at Anfield for the second time in six months that was sealed by Liverpool fanatic Dann.

"He had about 15 family members here today, he was asking for tickets off everybody," said Pardew of Dann.

"The goal summed him up. You could see he was going to win that ball, nobody was going to stop him.

"I really think he has been under-estimated throughout his career. I wouldn't have said that until I managed him but now I have, I understand how good he is.

"But the problem with this whole team is it doesn't trust how good it could be," added Pardew, whose eighth-placed side are now two points ahead of Liverpool.

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