After Aaron Ramsdale’s heroics kept the game level for Arsenal, Klopp expressed confusion about how his team didn’t secure a win despite their late pressure
After Aaron Ramsdale made two excellent saves to secure a 2-2 draw for Arsenal, Jurgen Klopp was at a loss to explain how Liverpool didn’t win.
Ramsdale’s saves included tipping a curling shot from Mohamed Salah around the post and stopping a point-blank effort from Ibrahima Konate in the final moments of the match.
Ramsdale’s impressive saves prevented Liverpool from securing a comeback victory and forced them to settle for a draw, despite managing to score two goals and equalize through Salah and Firmino.
Klopp was pleased with Liverpool’s response to going 2-0 down against the league leaders, but was left puzzled as to why his team couldn’t secure the win, despite their efforts.
He told Sky Sports: “It’s a little bit typical for us this season. Arsenal have an open game, completely open, and they score with the first situation and not too long after they scored the second one. Our reaction was obviously good.
“It was a spectacular game in the end. How we didn’t win it I don’t know, with those chances we had. In the end it’s a point and a good reaction on the two goals we conceded and that’s positive.
“But I’m caught in between. I have no problems with drawing. For Arsenal, it’s a super-important point because if you draw these kind of games you have a good chance to become champions. You cannot always be super, super, super convincing.
“They were good, but I think they would agree they could or should have lost this game today. They didn’t, so the point for them is better than for us, but it’s one for us as well.”
Klopp praises Salah for massively helpful goal
Klopp said Salah’s goal shortly before half-time “helped massively”.
“We were in half-time [and thinking] OK, this game is not over, and maybe it didn’t really even start. It was a sensational atmosphere, then we missed the penalty, and we got the equaliser at a good moment.”
He added: “All of a sudden we were in charge in a wild game. In the end we deserved at least a point.”
Klopp said Ramsdale’s save from Salah in the closing stages was “exceptional”, and added of the later chance: “If Ibou [Konate] uses his head, the ball goes under the crossbar, so then it’s a goal. Maybe Ibou slipped. He had a chance, it was just there.”
Liverpool’s chances of securing a Champions League spot next season appear to be fading, as they sit 12 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United following an entertaining draw.
However, the match was not without controversy. As half-time incident involving left-back Andy Robertson and assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis marred the otherwise thrilling encounter. Robertson appeared to have been hit by Hatzidakis’ elbow.
On the television footage captured during the match, it appeared that assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis raised his elbow and made contact with Liverpool defender and Scotland captain Robertson, who was seen approaching him.
PGMOL, which oversees the Premier League officials, will review the incident after being notified of the footage. Klopp awaits the decision based on video evidence.
Asked for his thoughts on the incident, Klopp said: “I know what happened, but I didn’t watch it. If it happened, the pictures will speak probably for themselves.”
