{"id":6167,"date":"2023-02-22T00:49:44","date_gmt":"2023-02-22T00:49:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/liverpool-2-5-real-madrid-slapstick-defending-in-heavy-defeat-leaves-reds-facing-inquest\/"},"modified":"2023-02-22T00:49:45","modified_gmt":"2023-02-22T00:49:45","slug":"liverpool-2-5-real-madrid-slapstick-defending-in-heavy-defeat-leaves-reds-facing-inquest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/liverpool-2-5-real-madrid-slapstick-defending-in-heavy-defeat-leaves-reds-facing-inquest\/","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid: ‘Slapstick’ defending in heavy defeat leaves Reds facing inquest"},"content":{"rendered":"


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<\/span><\/span>
Jurgen Klopp was dismayed at how Liverpool lost a 2-0 lead to concede five goals at Anfield<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“I think Carlo thinks the tie is over, and I think it is as well in the moment, but in three weeks…”<\/span><\/p>\n

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Liverpool have certainly mounted fairytale comebacks before, but while Jurgen Klopp believes his optimism in overturning a three-goal deficit against Real Madrid will return, he will know significant improvements will be needed <\/span>from Tuesday’s 5-2 defeat at Anfield.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The loss – Liverpool’s worst at home in Europe – means they have it all to do to reach the quarter-finals of this season’s Champions League.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We will go there and play a football game,” Klopp said of the second leg in Madrid against the holders on Wednesday, 15 March. <\/span><\/p>\n

“It will be a massive challenge. We have to make sure we learn from this game.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson felt errors throughout the game proved costly against Carlo Ancelotti’s men.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We made too many mistakes around the goals,” he added. “When you make too many mistakes, teams like Madrid punish you.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Deja vu, but too much to do?<\/h3>\n

Liverpool have been in situations before where the odds are stacked against them, yet they have found a way to bounce back.<\/span><\/p>\n

They famously overturned a 3-0 half-time deficit to beat AC Milan and win the Champions League in 2005, and four years ago came back from a 3-0 first-leg loss to beat Lionel Messi’s Barcelona 4-0 to reach the Champions League final.<\/span><\/p>\n

This Liverpool, though, have looked a different side this season. Eighth in the Premier League and out of both domestic cup competitions, they have won just three of their 10 games so far in 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n

Former England and Newcastle striker Alan Shearer feels the Reds are “a mile away” from what they have been previously.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Last season must have been very tough physically and mentally,” said Shearer, of Liverpool’s unsuccessful battle for a quadruple of trophies in the previous campaign. “It was relentless and perhaps they didn’t get the investment with signings. <\/span><\/p>\n

“Put all that together and there are excuses for looking physically and mentally tired, but they have been unrecognisable. <\/span><\/p>\n

“Every single player – bar the keeper – has lost the form. There is an argument to say they have all been a mile away from the standards they have been set.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Former Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana believes the hangover from last season’s exertions is still having an effect.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Last season Liverpool played in every single match possible and that produces a lull,” he said on BBC Radio 5 live.<\/span><\/p>\n

“On the back of a tough season I think you are witnessing too many moments when players are flat. They need to find something in them to go again.”<\/span><\/p>\n

What went wrong for Liverpool in the first leg?<\/h3>\n
\"Alisson<\/span><\/span>
This was just the third time this century Liverpool have shipped five goals in a home game in all competitions<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you hadn’t watched the game and just checked the post-match statistics, you would be forgiven for thinking that Liverpool were very unlucky.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Reds had more possession than Real, more shots on goal and a higher expected goals rating (2.01 to 1.66)<\/span><\/p>\n

But the statistics do not paint the true picture. After an even first half, Liverpool were comfortably second best after the break, but their defending throughout was poor.<\/span><\/p>\n

“The second goal is slapstick,” Klopp said of Real’s equaliser at 2-2, where Alisson hacked a clearance against Vinicius Junior and the ball rebounded past him and into the net.<\/span><\/p>\n

“[For one of the goals] we have five or six players and no challenge. That can’t happen. We were passive until the ball arrived there.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Shearer offered a more blunt assessment.<\/span><\/p>\n

“They were hopeless at the back,” he added. “I was concerned after the Newcastle game because Newcastle created a lot of chances. <\/span><\/p>\n

“They haven’t got the protection they used to have. You can’t do that against world-class players.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said: “It’s a reality check.<\/span><\/p>\n

“At any club, if you concede five goals there’s got to be an inquest into why and how? I’m sure Jurgen will do that in the coming days.”<\/span><\/p>\n

The heavy defeat produced some unwanted statistics for Liverpool that make it difficult to see how they can recover:<\/span><\/p>\n