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Henderson and Klopp's thoughts after Liverpool's draw with Chelsea

Updated: Apr 6, 2023


Klopp explains why he is still Liverpool boss as he admits [LFCTV Screen Shot]
Klopp explains why he is still Liverpool boss as he admits [LFCTV Screen Shot]

Chelsea and Liverpool played out a worrying goalless draw at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night and the match was vivid evidence of how far behind both sides are this season.


Bruno Saltor stepped in as interim boss of the West London club following the sacking of Graham Potter over the weekend, while Reds boss Jurgen Klopp made six changes to his starting XI after their 4-1 loss to reigning champions Manchester City.



Chelsea played better and had several chances to secure three points, with Joao Felix and Mateo Kovacic failing to take advantage of their chances to break the deadlock on the night.



Kai Havertz found the net in the second half but saw his goal ruled out for handball by VAR while Reece James’ brilliant first-half effort was also chalked off for offside.


Liverpool full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson as well as Mohamed Salah were dropped/rested for the game but Klopp introduced them in the second half while Virgil van Dijk missed the clash due to illness.



From Liverpool’s perspective, it was a poor result as they did not create enough chances and rarely tested goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.


'We had to show fight really'


Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson told Sky Sports after the tie: "Tough game, both sides not at the highest level at the minute. We made a fight of it. You could see the willingness to keep running and keep working. The last pass and last shot wasn't quite there, but we have to take the point and move on.

"They've got some good players with individual quality and we kept digging in. We had to show fight really. Yeah, it's hard to judge it straight after the game but it was positive to work for each other. We lacked quality in the final third.


"A clean sheet away at Chelsea is never easy. We've got to take that positive and try to work and try to build and finish goals off. The inconsistency of the season hasn't helped us, you've just got to keep working and stay together as a group. At the end you've got to dig in. We got a point today. On another day you might miss it. That's football at the end of the day. You keep working and we have to see where it takes us come the end of the season.


"There's been flashes of brilliance over the season but not enough consistency. There's lots of reasons for that. What's important is that you stay together, you stay positive. We've got to keep fighting until the end. That's the aim and that's the plan and it all starts off with the basis of the attitude and desire. It's another opportunity to try and show the brilliance again on Sunday at Anfield."

'We showed a lot of fight.'


Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp took the positives while speaking to BBC Sport: "Both teams played last year in two finals, two of the best 0-0s I ever saw. Today it was two teams low on confidence but really fighting. We’re fine with a point, a lot of good stuff. We showed a lot of fight. We have to keep going.

"We struggled with the last line in the beginning but changed three times. The balls in behind were tricky but then we recovered well. We got better into the game. The midfield was well connected. We had our opportunities up front. It was not speculator. It was a step. That’s what we have to do – make steps. Sometimes smaller steps.


"We need to have these chances. You need to keep having chances. I’m not disappointed about that. They scored twice but both goals were disallowed. I didn’t expect a team with six changes to play the best game of the season. The boys who came in used their opportunity and showed they were ready.


"We cannot talk about the goals we have if we don’t get points. We don’t give up, we will fight. We can talk a lot but we have to show. We saw a step in the right direction tonight. Some [players] needed a rest."

When asked whether he has had a season like this in the past: "No, thank God. I wouldn’t be manager of Liverpool if I had a couple of these seasons. We have to get through it. That’s how life is. You have to fight to change your fortunes."



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