Andy Robertson has provided a list of reasons for Liverpool’s problems this season following the club’s FA Cup loss. However, at some level, even the players know that these are now sounding like excuses rather than anything else.
On Sunday afternoon, the Reds were defeated 2-1 by Brighton in the fourth round of the famous competition. Harvey Elliott opened the scoring for Liverpool. However, goals from Lewis Dunk and Kaoru Mitoma sealed the defeat for Liverpool in the dying embers of the game.
Jurgen Klopp’s team has been eliminated from both domestic cup tournaments, having won both in the previous season. The Champions League is now the only realistic hope for a trophy this season, with Real Madrid waiting in the last 16. Given their current form and style of play, it will be quite a miracle if they manage to progress.
Liverpool was also defeated 3-0 by Brighton in a Premier League match two weeks ago, making it 2 losses to Brighton in 15 days. Robertson captained the Reds for the first time on Sunday and clearly stated that they were not good enough.
After the game, in the post-match press conference, Robertson told ITV (via liverpoolfc.com), “It’s bitterly disappointing. I thought it was a proper cup tie, [it was] end to end – both teams had chances. We were a lot more competitive than two weeks ago against them, but that didn’t take much. We were nowhere near good enough two weeks ago, and I thought today we were slightly better. We had chances, and [we were] a bit more compact. At the end of the day, we’re going out the cup, and that’s hard to take. When you’re at a club like Liverpool, the fans and everyone expect us to go far in these competitions, and we’ve not managed it. Obviously, it’s the last minute, and it’s the last kick of the ball – it’s so disappointing.”
Klopp and his Reds have a long and dark road ahead of them. A bunch of players returning from injury could help change their fortunes, but any form of success this season seems to be a steep uphill climb for Liverpool.