Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool “lost their minds” when they were beaten 3-0 by Atalanta in the Europa League on Thursday night.
The manager’s bid to make six changes to his starting XI backfired as Gianluca Scamacca (2) and Mario Pasalic ensured the Italians became the first team to win at Anfield this season.
Klopp seemed stunned at how his team collapsed, leaving them needing a miracle in the quarter-final second leg next week.
Liverpool fans were hoping the Europa League final in Dublin on May 22 would give Klopp a perfect send-off before leaving the club.
“It was a really bad game, my God,” complained the German coach.
Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool ‘lost their minds’ after being humiliated 3-0 by Atalanta
Atalanta achieved a surprising 3-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield in the first leg of their quarter-final.
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‘We started very well and then we didn’t continue. Before they even scored, we lost our minds a little bit.
“We were everywhere and nowhere. The midfield was thus distributed, to the right and left.
“I didn’t recognize him at all, it was really quite strange.”
A blunder by goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher gave Atalanta the lead at half-time.
Klopp sent on Mo Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Andy Robertson at half-time and Luis Diaz after an hour, but to no avail as things got worse.
He defended his team selection with Liverpool amid a thrilling three-horse Premier League title race, with Crystal Palace visiting Anfield on Sunday.
‘I understand the question 100 percent: if we lose a game, that’s what happens: the changes. But one of the reasons I would do exactly the same thing again is because if we want to be good for the rest of the season, we have to make changes.
‘I am responsible for this result first, I know it. But the decision (on the starting lineup) would remain the same.”
Klopp regrets making six changes with Premier League title race in mind
Former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca scored in each half for the visitors at Anfield
Liverpool once came back from a 3-0 deficit to beat Barcelona and reach the Champions League final in 2019.
However, Klopp is not making grandiose predictions about a repeat next week in Italy.
‘Can we win 3-0? I have no idea,’ she added.