Liverpool Boss Klopp: Forest Defeat Was a ‘Massive, Massive Blow’

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has labelled Saturday’s shock 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest as a “massive, massive blow”.

The Reds suffered the shock loss after Taiwo Awoniyi’s 55th minute strike, unable to convert a series of late chances with Forest goalkeeper Dean Henderson keeping them at bay.

The reality was Liverpool only created 15-10 shots and seven each on target, despite dominating possession at 76 per cent.

“It feels as low as possible,” Klopp told BBC Sport.

“Massive, massive blow because I have no idea how we can lose this game to be honest.”

The defeat comes after Liverpool knocked off champions Manchester City 1-0 last weekend, before a hard-fought midweek win over West Ham United.

The Reds are winless in five away games in the league this term and are sitting seventh, already 11 points behind leaders Arsenal who have a game in hand, with City are also 10 ahead in second.

“It’s a big blow for us because we came here and wanted to get three points,” Klopp said.

“In normal circumstances we should have won this this.”

Liverpool were without Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Joel Matip, Naby Keita, Ibrahima Konate and Darwin Nunez all due to injury, along with Thiago Alcantara with an ear infection.

But Klopp made no excuses, pointing to his side’s inability to convert set-pieces.

“I think this game was decided in six or seven situations, one was the set-piece they used and the other situations with the set-pieces we didn’t use,” he said.

“That it will be a difficult game for us was clear. Away, Nottingham not in a great situation and a super-intense week for us, two super-intense games, we had to change late, so it was clear that we have to be ready to put a big fight in.

“The boys did. But how we cannot score from the set-pieces, I have no idea. That’s it now, pretty much. So the performance I can explain, the result not really, to be honest.”