Liverpool’s manager, Jurgen Klopp, has promised fans that the team will make a comeback and be in the race for the Premier League title next season. This assurance follows their dismal performance in the just concluded season, which ended in a 4-4 draw with already-relegated Southampton.
The draw placed Liverpool in fifth place, which is the first time since the 2015/16 season that they have missed out on a top-four finish. Liverpool started the match in a bright manner, scoring two early goals through Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino, but was left to settle for a point after Southampton’s Kamaldeen Sulemana scored twice to level the score.
Liverpool extended their unbeaten run to 11 games, securing a draw, thanks to a goal from substitute Cody Gakpo and a second from Jota. Although Klopp was pleased that his team finished the season unbeaten, he acknowledged that they had played poorly in the season and were bettered by four teams.
“There are moments when you have to admit there were four teams that were better than us — that’s the truth. We played a bad season, we come fifth, that is a message as well,” Klopp said.
Despite their poor performance, the German manager remains optimistic that Liverpool will return to being contenders and reassures fans that they will bounce back stronger the next season. Klopp attributes their poor performance in the just-concluded season to a lack of perspective, which was fixed in the final games of the season.
“The last 11 games helped us to realize that again. Imagine we were our normal self, which we absolutely will be again next season and will be a contender again. That’s how is it,” Klopp said.
Regarding the match against Southampton, Klopp admitted that his team made life hard for themselves in a “silly” period. However, he praised their positive response and believes they could have scored more goals.
Liverpool fans will be hoping that Klopp’s assurance translates to a much better season next year.
