Liverpool have identified their shortcomings from their Champions League loss to Napoli and must find consistency in their performances again if they are to beat Ajax Amsterdam in their second group game, manager Juergen Klopp said on Monday.
Klopp said the 4-1 loss at Napoli last week was the โworst game we played since I was hereโ, adding that analysing the match was akin to watching a โhorror filmโ with at least eight players playing below their level.
โWe had a meeting, showed them the situations and I didnโt have to say a lot, the players know. We brought ourselves to this situation,โ Klopp told reporters ahead of Tuesdayโs game at Anfield.
โWe had obvious football problems which were from misjudgments. Everyone wanted to sort it by themselves, there was no structure.
โWe had four or five days now of absolute truth, not to knock the players down, just to make sure where we are now. This is the starting point for us to sort the problems together on the pitch, no pointing at each other.โ
Liverpool, however, were dealt another injury blow with Klopp saying full back Andy Robertson is out until after the international break this month while Curtis Jones is also unavailable.
Klopp also said he does not expect Naby Keita to go on international duty while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is no closer to a return.
โThe expected return date is somewhere in October,โ Klopp said. โWith Ox itโs the same. Thatโs why the two boys are not in the Champions League squad.โ
Ajax have won all their league games this season to sit top of the Eredivisie standings and Klopp praised Alfred Schreuderโs side for coping well despite losing several key players from last season in the transfer window.
โAjax are in the Champions League and they belong there. Are they the strongest team in the competition? I havenโt seen the rest yet,โ Klopp said.
โWe have to show a reaction but that doesnโt guarantee a result against Ajax. Theyโve won all their games this season, theyโve had a massive rebuild but theyโre doing a really good job.
โWe have not been consistent enough this season and we have to show that again. And that always starts with defending better.โ
