Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp says they face a "massive task" to be back in the Champions League after their annihilation by Real Madrid.

"When they bought Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino they weren't £100m players, they weren't the best in the world at the time. Are they going to buy squad fillers like they have been doing?" "Darwin Nunez was the hottest striker around last year. Sadio Mane left for Bayern Munich last summer, and Roberto Firmino is leaving at the end of the season. Their right-back is unbelievable, the left-back too, Virgil van Dijk is probably the best in the world when he is on form. That is what they have to think short term. The front five are brilliant. This week is a pretty decisive one. Ibrahima Konate is brilliant. Nobody is thinking, 'how did Liverpool go out?'" said Klopp. "But I think as a manager you also have to respect what the players have done for you and those are decisions that have to be made by the staff." It was obvious.

Klopp gave his side a one percent chance ahead of the game but had it not been for the brilliance of goalkeeper Alisson Becker all hope would have been ...

Vinicius Jr repeated the same manoeuvre at the other end but presented Alisson with one of his more comfortable saves of the half, with Courtois the last to be tested before the break when he batted away a Gakpo effort. Klopp’s 4-2-3-1 attacking formation was designed to get goals but the risk which came with any potential reward was that it left them more susceptible to counter-attacks and their goal led a charmed life for most of the first half as if it was not the quality of Alisson it was the woodwork – or both – which kept Real at bay. But players like Mohamed Salah, Fabinho and Trent Alexander-Arnold never got to grips with the game and that asked too much of the likes of Nunez, substituted in the 57th minute, and Gakpo.

It is not clear if Jürgen Klopp knows his best team right now and that has resulted in a late-Wenger inefficiency.

There is a kind of late-Wenger inefficiency to them at the moment: a team searching in real time for something that has been lost, trying to salvage not simply a game or a tempo but an idea. Perhaps this explains why Liverpool are such an imperfect team now: a squad of players all operating at different speeds, on different wavelengths, at different levels of fitness and confidence. And when the moment comes to debrief this tie, they will probably reflect that it was won and lost in that pivotal passage at Anfield when they let in five goals. Trent Alexander-Arnold is currently in the stage of acute bafflement that an elite athlete undergoes when their body is simply no longer doing what they tell it to do. There were fleeting moments when this game still felt alive, still felt like a last-16 second leg between two of the giants of world football. And as a souvenir of the night, perhaps even the tie as a whole, you could do a lot worse.

Jurgen Klopp reveals why Darwin Nunez was substituted in Liverpool's Champions League loss to Real Madrid.

Klopp made a double substitution in the 57th minute when he brought off Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota for Roberto Firmino and Harvey Elliott. Advertisement The Reds exited Europe’s elite club competition with a 6-2 loss to Real Madrid in the last 16.

Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (6-2 agg): Jurgen Klopp's men failed to land a punch on the reigning champions as the historic comeback they needed never ...

Alisson was forced into a number of fine saves, especially from Benzema and Vinicius, while almost every defender had to put in at least one big block. It was asking a lot to overcome all of that against opposition like this, and means Klopp is now left to just focus on trying to get back to this level next season. As it was, all of Madrid’s midfield stars just strolled through that to pick passes and take potshots from wherever they desired. In contrast to that, Liverpool aren’t quite coming apart at the seams, but a season of injuries, issues, chaos and wild unpredictability eventually came to bear on a tie at this kind of level. A lot of that might have to do with the fact they can call themselves European champions. Liverpool couldn’t get anywhere close to a comeback because they so struggled to get forward, leaving Karim Benzema to pick them off for a 1-0 that made it 6-2 on aggregate.

Stefan Bajcetic hit with major injury blow after Liverpool midfielder confirms he's out for the rest of the season.

“Unfortunately I’ve picked up an injury that will keep me out until the end of the season,” he wrote. Liverpool have struggled in midfield this season, with Bajcetic one of their most consistent performers. The 18-year-old has made 19 appearances in all competitions, becoming a regular starter since the turn of the year, and scored his first Reds goal against Aston Villa back in December. He joins Luis Diaz, Thiago Alcantara, and Calvin Ramsay on Liverpool’s injury list. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Reds manager [Jurgen Klopp ](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/jurgen-klopp)would label the issue as "absolutely bad" when revealing the midfielder had suffered a stress adductor injury. “With Stefan, it is a stress response, which is absolutely bad,” he told reporters.

Liverpool have been hit by the news that Stefan Bajcetic will miss the remainder of the season through injury. The midfielder's been one of the few bright ...

[Jurgen Klopp](https://metro.co.uk/tag/jurgen-klopp/?ico=auto_link_sport_P4_LNK1) said prior to kick-off that Bejcetic was suffering with a ‘stress response around the adductor’. MORE : [Champions League](https://metro.co.uk/tag/champions-league/?ico=auto_link_sport_P3_LNK1) last-16 second leg tie against [Real Madrid](https://metro.co.uk/tag/real-madrid/?ico=auto_link_sport_P3_LNK2) at the Bernabeu.

Virgil van Dijk rued the errors Liverpool made in their Champions League last-16 meetings with Real Madrid after they were eliminated on Wednesday night.

It was tough but I think the damage was done in Liverpool and that's the most disappointing thing. I think we created some dangerous moments in the first half. Read on for the interview…

Liverpool were dumped out of the Champions League in the last 16 after failing to spark a comeback and succumbing to a 1-0 defeat against Real Madrid in the ...

He said: “I think if I'm honest the first half was quite even. And we all know that, so our job is to squeeze everything out of the rest of the season as possible.” [Bournemouth](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/afc-bournemouth), but this week will be a decisive one. “Absolutely it’s the message to get in the top four,” he said. Virgil van Dijk was downbeat after the defeat. It is clear we want to be in the top four, but it is on the pitch we have to show it now.” [Manchester City](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/manchester-city-fc), [Chelsea](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/chelsea-fc) and [Arsenal](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/arsenal-fc), and will then define what we get out of it (the season). “But it’s THE competition, and of course we want to be part of, and be part of it every year – so that is the massive task for us now. In truth though, Madrid were the better side and created the better chances, forcing Klopp to admit: “They were always in control, and we didn’t show the special performance we needed.” “I really believe if you want to win the competition you have to be outstanding, and we weren’t outstanding so it’s right that we went out. “With the history we have in this competition we usually start with the idea of winning it, and we have reached the final three times in the last few years. But Klopp believes that his club belongs in the top tier of European competition, and he challenged his players to respond with the fight to get back into the

Trent Alexander-Arnold's defensive capabilities continue to be questioned, so should Liverpool look to sign some competition this summer?

Alexander-Arnold’s weaknesses, Carragher continued, have become so glaring and so alarming that Liverpool, he feels, need to consider signing a right-back this summer, in order to provide competition and stimulus for their home-grown hero. The England full-back is, it seems, a player who divides opinion like few others in the modern game. Once again, the spotlight is shining on Trent Alexander-Arnold in the wake of a Liverpool defeat.

Liverpool transfer news, rumours, gossip and speculation including updates on Randal Kolo Muani, Mason Mount, Alberto Moleiro plus reaction to Real Madrid ...

[Liverpool]isn’t awash with money so I know there’s a kitty there to probably go for a Bellingham for £100 million, maybe a little bit more, but if they don’t get in the Champions League it’s going to put a little bit more pressure on the purse strings. [Reds](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc) - netted the winner 11 minutes from time. “Darwin looked like he was not at the absolute top level as well and we needed to defend that side as well. He is a young player but he has a lot of talent and we are happy with him" “It’s down to us that we have to finish the season very strongly. [Jurgen Klopp](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/jurgen-klopp) be plotting a move to snap up one of hottest properties in the Spanish second division? But Liverpool and United are not the only clubs that appear to have had their heards turned. Despite the Londoners protesting that the goal was illegitimate, it stood and Rafa Benitez's side held on to book their place in the final. And in recent weeks, the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle have also been rumoured to be interested in signing Mount. Chelsea have reportedly set an asking price for Mason Mount, with [Liverpool](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc) and Manchester United both believed to be interested in capturing the 24-year-old midfielder. It led to the Brazilian international conceding that his team could have shown more spirit to try and overturn the deficit. Only last season, the two European giants contested the competition's final in Paris, but after Carlo Ancelotti's side left Anfield with a 5-2 Round of 16 first leg advantage, the Reds were left with a mountain to climb in Madrid.

The Adidas store is known for selling women and men's clothing, and stocks adidas Originals and Sport Performance designs. It reopened in 2017 after a huge ...

Liverpool ONE recently welcomed a new Under Armour store and a new Sweaty Betty store is set to open in June. Liverpool ONE boasts over 170 stores including The White Company, John Lewis, Victoria's Secret and more. Known for its array of sportswear including trainers, hoodies, tracksuits, jackets and more, the adidas store left a message on its window to customers. READ MORE: READ NEXT:

Karim Benzema revealed that Real Madrid exploited a weakness in Liverpool's defence to seal a 1-0 win on Wednesday night, with Rio Ferdinand singling out ...

[Join the debate!](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpool-real-madrid-alexander-arnold-29470487#comments-section) What did you make of Liverpool's performance against Real Madrid? One of the most prestigious National Hunt Meetings of the calendar is not to be missed…and we’ve got a bumper week of amazing content and great reader offers. Celebrate the biggest racing week of the year- the Cheltenham Festival. They have to be the ones that have to be screaming because they can see it all from behind. Scream and get that player across in front to stop the pass. “Do you know who the conductors are to get Fabinho across to stop the ball there? As he touches that ball, he’s gone from being side-by-side to being five yards behind the player he was marking - that’s a world class attacking player who you can’t take your eyes off. [Champions League](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/champions-league) after losing 6-2 on aggregate over two legs. These two [Konate and Van Dijk have to be the talkers]. That’s got to be your first and only thought in this phase of play. The Reds full-back had been alongside Vinicius Junior before he allowed the winger to ghost into the box. He is very young but too good.”

Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic has confirmed he will miss the remainder of the season through injury.The 18-year-old has made a name for himself.

The Egypt international told Sky Sports at the time: “He’s a great player and person, he always tries to work hard. Card payments only. 18+ New customers only. [netted his first goal for the Reds in a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on Boxing Day](https://talksport.com/football/1286937/mohamed-salah-liverpool-goals-record-andy-robertson-assists-darwin-nunez/), and also put in a [man-of-the-match performance in the 7-0 victory over Manchester United](https://talksport.com/football/1331127/liverpool-stefan-bajcetic-will-ferrell-andy-robertson-instagram/). [has been one of the positives for Klopp](https://talksport.com/football/1301918/liverpool-stefan-bajcetic-thiago-jurgen-klopp-midfield-father-celta-vigo-salah/), given Liverpool’s lacklustre campaign. [Bajcetic](https://talksport.com/football/1155324/who-is-liverpool-teenager-stefan-bajcetic-rejected-manchester-united/) was absent as the Reds [lost 1-0 to Real Madrid on Wednesday night](https://talksport.com/football/1363332/liverpool-knocked-out-champions-league-real-madrid-karim-benzema/), which confirmed their Champions League exit.

Sportsmail breaks down why Liverpool's clash with Fulham will not take place this weekend as Jurgen Klopp's side continue to push for a place in next ...

Much to the disappointment of fans of the Merseyside team, the Reds will not be in action this weekend. As for Fulham, Marco Silva's side were beaten 3-0 by Arsenal [in their last outing](/sport/football/article-11850749/Fulham-0-3-Arsenal-Gunners-five-points-clear-dominant-half-display.html). Liverpool were set to play Fulham this weekend as the Reds look to break into the Champions League spots, but the fixture will no longer take place... why is the game postponed? - Liverpool were due to face Fulham this weekend in the Premier League And when will the Reds next be in action?

DOMINIC KING: Trent Alexander-Arnold stood alone, grappling with the situation. Hands on his hips and head bowed, he was clearly inconsolable as the pain of ...

And that is what has made Alexander-Arnold exceptional – because he sees the game differently and is prepared to try moments of ingenuity. Whichever team I would coach in the moment, I would sign him: he is exceptional. Who is to say he won’t be involved in the next round of qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia in June? ‘He is a good defender; he doesn’t always defend good, that is true as well, but that is what we’re working on. ‘There are stories out there all the time that talk about him and say he’s not a good defender, but that’s not true,’ Klopp explained. He‘s honest – his tone sometimes reminds you of Steven Gerrard – and won’t attempt to sugar coat situations. He has been capped 18 times and there will be plenty more caps in the future. Alexander-Arnold would barely have got any minutes and he doesn’t need to be in that environment right now. From the time he did his first interview with the national media as an 18-year-old in May 2017, he has never spoken in clichés or ducked questions. Hands on his hips and head bowed, he was clearly inconsolable as the pain of it all took hold. The “wee dip” that Robertson referenced had ramifications yesterday when he was omitted from Gareth Southgate’s plans for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine. ‘If Liverpool are trying to qualify for the Champions League on a yearly basis, I’m not sure Trent is your man at right-back,’ Carragher said.

Klopp accepted 'the better team won' as Liverpool were beaten 6-2 on aggregate by Real Madrid in the last 16 and focused on returning to the competition ...

'We have to hope now that the boys come back [from international break] healthy, early enough, in the right shape and then we will try it'. The English club travelled to the Bernabéu with a three-goal deficit to overcome, but didn't manage to score as Real Madrid won 1-0 and took the tie 6-2 on aggregate. Klopp will now focus on finishing in the Premier League's top four and leading Liverpool back to the Champions League next season, but admitted the team face a 'massive task' to do so.