Share

Klopp refuses to blame Adrian after Champions League exit

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists goalkeeper Adrian was not to blame as the Reds went out of the Champions League against Atletico Madrid.

The defending champions are out after losing 3-2 at Anfield - 4-3 on aggregate - against the La Liga side, but the turning point of the game was a mistake from the goalkeeper.

The Reds had just gone ahead 2-1 on aggregate after Roberto Firmino scored in extra time to add to Georginio Wijnaldum's opener when Adrian fluffed a kick to Joao Felix which allowed Marcos Llorente to score.

Llorente scored again and Alvaro Morata, another substitute, added a third in the 120th minute but it was Atletico's first goal which killed the hosts' momentum.

It is no surprise that all the focus was on Adrian's mistake after the game.

Pundits and fans alike pointed the finger at Adrian, but Klopp was not willing to do the same.

Instead, Klopp felt it was Liverpool's failure to get their second goal of the night in the normal 90 minutes of play that was the real reason they went out.

The defeat meant Klopp lost his first two-legged European tie since becoming Liverpool manager in the club's first home European defeat since 2014, but he was in no mood to blame anyone.

"He's a man and he know that’s how it is. We will not blame him for a second - what you (the media) do, I don’t know but stay respectful, that would be really nice," said Klopp.

"He did not want to do that, he saved us in so many moments when he played. Since he's here, he had super performances.

"This goal didn't help tonight but that's how it is. I said, if you lose a game you always lose for some (different) reasons."

To make matters worse for Adrian, by contrast, Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak had a brilliant night, keeping his side in the game as they came under siege in the second half.

- TEAMtalk media

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE