´A very soft one´ – Klopp rues penalty as Liverpool crash at Arsenal

Jurgen Klopp said Arsenal’s crucial penalty was “a very soft one” after Bukayo Saka’s confident strike from the spot condemned Liverpool to a 3-2 defeat at Emirates Stadium.

The loss is unmistakeably damaging for Liverpool, who have won just two of their opening nine games now in this Premier League campaign and are not looking like contenders.

They twice equalised against Arsenal, with Darwin Nunez and Roberto Firmino scoring, but Saka’s second goal of the game meant it was the hosts who edged a five-goal thriller.

Thiago Alcantara’s challenge on Gabriel Jesus in the 73rd minute gave Arsenal their spot-kick, with referee Michael Oliver’s decision upheld by VAR, even though there appeared to be only slight contact.

That can be enough, although the decision was plainly not to Klopp’s liking.

He told BBC Sport: “Now I saw it and I think you can imagine I don’t think it is a clear penalty, it is a very soft one.”

He said Liverpool should have cleared the danger before Thiago and Jesus collided, after Arsenal rained shots on the visitors’ goal earlier in the attack.

“A couple of things went against us, but we are not blind, we see we could have done better in moments,” Klopp said. “In general, it was a good away game against a good side. We caused them a lot of problems but stand here with no points.”

Liverpool sit 10th after eight matches, with only 10 points, and they already trail Arsenal by 14 points and Manchester City by 13 points, albeit holding one game in hand.

10 – With 10 points from eight games so far, this is Liverpool’s worst return at this stage of a Premier League campaign since 2012-13 (9 points), when they ultimately finished 7th. Fragile. pic.twitter.com/GcDNvVNvIX

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 9, 2022

There were positive moments for Liverpool, but Arsenal were the more impressive side, and next Sunday’s Anfield tussle with Pep Guardiola’s City looks a daunting one for Klopp’s players.

Rumblings over a seven-year itch might persist if wins prove slow in coming, with Klopp having previously left Mainz and Borussia Dortmund after chalking up such a tenure. He has now completed seven years at Liverpool.

Oozing sarcasm, Klopp said injuries to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz were “the icing on the cake” for Liverpool.

“It doesn’t look good for both,” Klopp said.

Liverpool might come good soon, but their manager will understand the harsh reality of results such as Sunday’s.

“I saw a team with the right attitude and put in a proper fight and play football, and first half we did, but in the second half I didn’t see these football moments as much,” Klopp said.

“I think the game is a draw, but today we have nothing.”