Perhaps the most telling quote from Jurgen Klopp’s post-Brighton press conference was singling out “a couple of boys” because of their bad body language.
Liverpool fell to a low again on Sunday afternoon when they lost 2-1 to Brighton in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
It was a predictable performance by the Reds in a tragic season, although at first there were at least positive signs from players like Harvey Elliott, Stefan Baisetic and Cody Gakpo.
Problems really started to arise when Klopp and more experienced players like Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and James Milner turned to the bench.
Milner replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold on the hour mark, and the right-back’s reaction to the removal was alarming, after which he was clearly upset on the bench.
Although he did not name specific players in his post-match report, Klopp pointed to the body language of a “couple of boys” as he sought improvements.
“We have to improve. We have to work better,” he told reporters.
“Body language, a couple of guys should be much better. The defense in the build should be better from several.
“But then, I think, in the last game here we couldn’t win. I think no one would be surprised today if we won this game.
“It’s not that [people were saying], ‘My God, how did this happen?’. So that’s good.
“But that’s not enough for today and for the competition, so we’re flying out.”
Klopp, who was not interested in the question of whether Fabinho should be removed for a terrible challenge to Evan Ferguson, was later asked to clarify his comments about body language.
The manager gave an unnecessarily sullen response, saying: “The best body language — what else can I say?”
“When I talk about body language, it wasn’t good, it should be better next time. There is nothing more [to say],” he insisted.
“Look, I’m not thrilled with this performance. But, again, the only thing that really happened is that we lost to a good side that we lost to two weeks ago in a terrible game.
“Today was much better. Considering today’s performance two weeks ago, it would also look different.
“There really are steps.
“I understand, 100 percent. I don’t sit here [and think] “what are they talking about?”. You are unhappy with the game.
“I understand 100 percent where you are from. It’s just the situation we’re in.
“There is no other way—and you know it as well as I do—but to fight.
“You will never hear a coach sitting here in a similar situation and [saying]: “By the way, we will change that, then you will see against Wolves — that’s all.”
“It doesn’t happen that way, and that’s why we continue to work 100 percent.”
