Liverpool suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat yesterday away at Swansea City.
A much changed Liverpool side, with an eye on Thursday's game against Villarreal, were well beaten in the driving rain of South Wales.
It was Liverpool's youngest ever starting XI in the Premier League (average age 23 years 218 days).
The midday kickoff didn't seem to help the reds although only a few of the players involved in Thursday night's game in Spain were involved. The reds only named 6 substitutes - Connor Randall was due to be on the bench but was suffering from an illness early Sunday morning.
Danny Ward made another goalkeeping appearance and it would be hard to place too much blame on him despite the three goals conceded.
Kevin Stewart and Pedro Chirivella in central midfield were just not up to the task this time. The soft centre of the reds left Sturridge isolated for most of the game and the defence under constant pressure. Crosses were allowed to rain in, and defenders backed away from shots.
As if to compound the miserable efforts of the reds youngsters Brad Smith was sent off after collecting two yellow cards - one in each half.
Andre Ayew scored for the hosts either side of a Jack Cork goal.
There were eight changes in total for the reds and although a similar LFC side beat Bournemouth away a couple of weeks ago - this game was a step too far.
Speaking after the game Klopp said:
“I can’t change my mind every two days. Two weeks ago everybody said ‘oh my God, how good are these young players!
And they are good. But the life of a professional footballer is not always honeymoons. You have to persevere and deliver. We all have to improve.”
Ayew headed in from a corner on the 20th minute. A goal the like of which we have seen before, and will no doubt see again.
Just after the half hour, and after a fine double save by Ward, Cork strode forward - Skrtel backed off - and he fired in a curling shot into the far corner.
Chirivella was replaced at half time by Lucas, Benteke sent on for Coutinho.
The reds did improve slightly and when Benteke headed in mid-way through the half there was a chance the reds could get something from the game.
But just minutes later any hopes were extinguised.
Comedy defending, which started with Lucas being caught dwelling on the ball, and Swansea forced control of the ball in the box and Ayew drilled into the net.
Liverpool have three Premier League games left with only Europa League qualification position involved as a target. A four point gap behind West Ham suggests that Liverpool may be aiming for a maximum finish of 7th.
So the reds primary focus now turns to overturning the one goal deficit in the Europa League semi final. And given the form of the past few weeks this looks a seriously tricky proposition.
