Sports
Klopp blames Liverpool’s 2-2 draw on team’s fatigue
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has said his team couldn’t have played better than they did on Monday against Sunderland, having played against Manchester City only two days before.
The Reds took a deserved lead when Daniel Sturridge flicked in a header in the 19th minute. Sunderland equalized six minutes later as Defoe scored from the penalty spot, before Sadio Mane put the visitors back ahead with a close-range finish.
But Mane then handled an ooponent in his own 18-yard box and Defoe converted the penalty again to end the game at 2-2.
“I am not able to explain it because I don’t know exactly what I saw. My team were fighting but I wasn’t sure if they could do it.
“We can play better but I’m not sure if you can play better with that (two-day) break,” Klopp said after the game.
Read Also: Giroud, Iwobi score as Arsenal thump Palace 2-0
Commenting also on Sunderland’s second penalty, the Liverpool boss added: “There was no foul before the free-kick for the second penalty. You need a little bit of luck, but Sunderland worked hard too and maybe they deserved it.”
Liverpool who have lost only one of their past 18 Premier League games, winning 12 and drawing 5, are currently second-placed on the league table with 44 points, five points clear off leaders Chelsea, who will play Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.
However, the Reds will see their draw against Sunderland as two points dropped in spite of their 71% possession and 15 shots on target.
Sunderland’s next play in the Premier League on 14 January will be against Stoke City, while Liverpool will travel to Old Trafford to play Manchester United the following day.
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