Jurgen Klopp fumes at penalty decision in Liverpool loss
Jurgen Klopp condemned the decision by referee Felix Brych to award a late penalty in Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat to Napoli on Tuesday.
The Champions League holders began the defence of their crown with a loss in a match which swung on a decision in the 82nd minute.
Andrew Robertson was adjudged to have brought down Napoli’s Jose Callejon, a decision which was upheld after a VAR review.
Dries Mertens scored the resulting spot kick to put Napoli ahead before substitute Fernando Llorente added a second for Napoli in stoppage time.
"I don't think it's a penalty,” Klopp told BT Sport. “What can I say, for me, it is clear and obvious no penalty. He jumps before any contact, we can't change that.”
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Klopp was left frustrated by Liverpool’s failure to create and take chances in a game which lacked attacking quality and precision throughout.
"It should hurt because there were opportunities for us,” he added. It was an open game with a lot of counter attacks, but we didn't finish them off and that is a problem.
"In the second half it was a wild game, they were running and we were running.
"We played a lot of good football but didn't finish it off. We controlled moments but had not enough chances in the end. We made decisions that were not right and have to accept the result. It was very often the final ball that was not right."
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson agreed, criticising his side’s lack of cutting edge.
“(In the) first half I still felt we played some good stuff, it’s that final bit we were just missing today. At home Napoli are a good side, they are going to create some chances,” said the midfielder.
“You’ve got to be prepared to defend as a team which again, I felt we did. We won some great balls in midfield and counter-attack, but it was just that last little bit and then obviously the mistakes.
“Overall, we can be better of course, and like I say we’ll take responsibility. We’ll move forward and try and react in the right way.”
Liverpool’s second group game sees them welcome Salzburg, who hammered Genk 6-2 in their opener.
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