Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has said that Toulouse FC “deserved” their victory on Thursday night. Carles Martinez Novell’s side prevailed 3-2 in Thursday night’s UEFA Europa League tie at the Stadium and consequently close the gap to leaders Liverpool to just two points.
Toulouse were well beaten by Liverpool a fortnight ago. Despite a Thijs Dallinga goal giving Le TéFéCé hope in the first half at Anfield, Klopp’s side ran away with the tie, ultimately winning 5-1. Since that defeat, Toulouse went on to lose back-to-back games in Ligue 1, firstly against Montpellier HSC and then against Le Havre AC last weekend.
‘We would have been happy to take a point here’ – Klopp
Martinez Novell’s side therefore didn’t come into the tie with confidence, but they produced a defensively solid display, frustrating Liverpool and limiting their chances. Jarell Quansah thought he had salvaged a point for the Merseyside club late on, but the goal was ruled out by VAR with Alexis Mac Allister adjudged to have handled in the build-up. Toulouse therefore held on to secure the three points.
“It (the victory) was deserved for Toulouse,” admitted Klopp in a post-match press conference, transcribed by L’Équipe. “They played well defensively. They had a lot of decisive chances relative to us. We didn’t give enough in the duels and they had lots of chances […] we would have been happy to take a point here; the feeling would have been better, but we have to accept that we didn’t play well enough. What I’m particularly concerned about is how many chances we afforded, with the two goals ruled out as well,” added the German manager.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
