Klopp: We are not cool enough

Liverpool F.C. manager Jurgen Klopp has conceded his side were not ‘cool enough’ after giving away a late lead against Southampton at Anfield on Sunday.

But the former Borussia Dortmund boss also insisted that things are “on the right track.”

On 77 minutes, Belgium international Christian Benteke opened the scoring for the hosts when headed home from 12 yards out following a sublime James Milner cross.

However, a scrappy late goal from Sadio Mane following a set-piece situation salvaged a point for the visitors, leaving Klopp win-less in his first three games in charge of the Reds.

“Everybody was so disappointed after the equalizer. There was still time, but it looked like we had lost belief. We have to stay more calm,” Klopp told Sky Sports.

“The players work so hard for each other. They are good enough and skilled enough, but we are not cool enough. There are always going to be moments where things happen that are not good for you and you have to stay cool.

“I don’t know if frustrated is the right word, but it was not a good moment, because we were on the right track. We had our moments and played really well at certain stages, but in the end you have to score. We eventually got our goal, but then there was the free-kick for Southampton and those moments are always 50-50.”

Klopp added: “This league is too strong to think you are there. I knew some things would be difficult when I got here, but we are on the right track.

“You can always criticise certain things. We have to improve some things as soon as possible and other things are long-term issues.”

Liverpool (3-5-2), currently in 9th-place in the English Premier League table, are priced at 11/4 to achieve a top-four finish in England’s top-flight this season.

Guardiola: Robben has ‘mind-blowing quality’

Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Holland ace Arjen Robben following the winger’s goal-scoring performance in the Bundesliga champions’ 4-0 rout of 1. FC Köln on Saturday.

Robben, 31, returned to the starting XI after seven weeks on the sidelines only to open the scoring for Bayern. The 31-year-old completed 65 minutes before being withdrawn in favour of Joshua Kimmich.

“He’s got this nose for goal, the right mentality, professionalism, charisma. And he has mind-blowing quality in one-on-ones,” Guardiola told Bayern’s official website.

Guardiola added: “He was injured for the last three months of the previous campaign. He’s just made his fourth [Bundesliga] appearance of this season.

“He needs more time.”

Robben has scored two goals in four Bundesliga appearances for Bayern this term.