Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool ‘lost the plot’ in their Champions League opener against AC Milan.
Wednesday’s Group B encounter saw the Reds take an early lead courtesy of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s early strike during a spell of near-total dominance.
But they headed in at the interval 2-1 behind after Ante Rebic and Brahim Diaz scored in quick succession to give the Italians a previously unlikely lead.
Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson’s goals tipped the game back in Liverpool’s favour after they strated the second half with a renewed intensity.
However Klopp pinpointed his side’s sloppiness which offered Milan a route back into the clash as a key flaw on an otherwise flawless European night.
“It was nearly 100% what I hoped for,” said the Liverpool manager.
“It was a brilliant game, very exciting and very entertaining with 10-15 minutes where we lost a little bit of the plot.
“We were not compact any more and got carried away with our own football. We complicated matters.
From a goal to the good to one behind almost in the blink of an eye. Here’s how the Reds surrendered their first-half lead pic.twitter.com/dCMrtXLxke #LFC #UCL #LIVACM
— Liverpool FC news (@ClickLFC) September 15, 2021
“Our defensive line was too deep, the midfield was not closing the gaps any more and so they could pass through us and score a few goals.
“But we adapted at half-time and played again really good football, scored two wonderful goals.
“Definitely everyone can see now with Milan, who came from Pot 4 – that’s funny – the quality that is in this group.
“It is obvious we need each point in this group to get through.”