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'Jurgen Klopp was caught in the headlights': Huge Liverpool claim made after Man City loss
JURGEN KLOPP was left not sure what to do during Liverpool’s loss to Manchester City last night.
Liverpool: Klopp praises squads ‘intensity’ against Man City
That’s the view of pundit Lee Dixon after Liverpool’s unbeaten Premier League season was ended at the Etihad.
Sergio Aguero opened the scoring for City before Roberto Firmino’s header levelled the scores in Manchester.
But Leroy Sane netted to close the gap at the top of the Premier League to just four points with Liverpool remaining in the driving seat.
Liverpool had got themselves back in the game with Firmino’s finish though couldn’t dominate in midfield as they have become accustomed to this season.
And Dixon believes Jurgen Klopp was left wondering what to do during the tense encounter.
“At the point where Fabinho came on and Klopp changed the system, maybe [Xherdan] Shaqiri should have come on first,” Dixon said on NBC.
“They got the goal in the end but I just felt that Klopp, he didn’t look confused, but he looked as if he was caught in the headlights a little.
“City were sensational from start to finish.”
Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson believes the defeat could be a positive for Klopp despite the unbeaten run ending.
“When I heard Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren say before Christmas that they could emulate Arsenal's Invincibles side of 2003-04 and go the whole league season unbeaten, I groaned,” Lawrenson wrote for BBC Sport
“I was often in a similar position during my playing career, and you just never, ever, ever say that.
“Experience tells you that, even if you go on to win the title, you always have one or two bad days where you get beaten and, as soon as Lovren said that, I thought it was asking for trouble.
“In many ways, though, it is a good thing that Liverpool don't have to talk about staying 'invincible' any more.
“I think it takes a bit of pressure off.
“From my experience, the players and the manager hate being asked if they can go the whole season unbeaten.
“I just wanted people to shut up about it, and it becomes a millstone around your neck.”