Jurgen Klopp explained why he substituted Dejan Lovren midway through Liverpool’s 4-1 hammering by Tottenham.
Lovren made way for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the first half of the Reds’ reversal at Wembley with his side already two goals down at the time.
The Croatia international’s Anfield career has been beset by error-strewn performances since his 2014 arrival and continued early into this season.
But Klopp admitted that the decision to take off Lovren came on the back of his side conceding two goals in quick succession in north-west London.
He said: “Actually I really don’t want to blame players. Dejan was not worse than Joel (Matip).
“Sometimes the most obvious mistakes are the easiest to fix. Now we have to prove that we will fix it.
“We have to prove that we are better defenders than we showed today. The only way to fix it is to stay strong and work on it.
“The second goal would not happen if I’m on the pitch.”
Klopp also talked individually about the disappointing goals conceded and about whether Joe Gomez may now see a starting berth at centre-back.
“It’s our responsibility, what you saw, In all the decisive moments we were not there,” he added.
“The first goal, it’s unbelievably easy to defend. Close, small space.
“(The second goal) usually we know, Dejan would make this header, [but] he missed the ball.
“(Third goal) another present. We lose ball and give them a free kick.”