Klopp's Lament: Taking Blame for Liverpool's End-of-Season Swoon

Jurgen Klopp has shouldered the blame for Liverpool’s damaging late-season slump, admitting he failed to galvanize his players to attack the Premier League title run-in with their trademark intensity. The Reds’ manager was left frustrated and disappointed like never before after the 2-0 Merseyside derby defeat to Everton on Wednesday.

“I hated our game,” Klopp said starkly about the loss that may have ended Liverpool’s title hopes. “We were not even close to what we want to be.”

The German tactician felt an immense burden for how his final campaign as Liverpool boss is petering out in disappointing fashion. He confessed he was close to an unprecedented act - singing the German fan chant “Wir wollen euch kämpfen sehen” which translates to “We want to see you fight.”

“Never has one of my teams heard that ever,” Klopp stated. “I never heard them say my team didn’t fight because my team always went for it. And now, wow, how can that happen?”

Klopp’s bemusement stemmed from Liverpool’s uncharacteristically sloppy defending and lack of attacking verve that had been a hallmark during his highly successful tenure. He was left incredulous after Everton’s first goal, calling it “a joke” as Liverpool failed to clear routine chances.

“We could have cleared over the stand five times and in the end [Jarrad] Branthwaite mishits the ball and it rolls in,” he said. “You can laugh about it but it was incredible.”

The 55-year-old took full responsibility for Liverpool’s struggles down the stretch, as the team who has thrilled fans with thrilling comeback wins now finds itself unable to chase down leaders Arsenal and Manchester City playing “really positive football.”

“Who can I make responsible for that? It’s my job until the last day to make sure the boys feel that,” Klopp stated. “Now we have to find a lineup, a way, to do much better.”

With just a handful of games left, the charismatic manager is determined to rouse his players back to their typically tenacious levels. While the title may be slipping away, Klopp knows Liverpool’s proud legacy demands they keep fighting until mathematically eliminated.

“Much more important is that you create a basis for most of the season until the finishing line is in sight and then you go for it,” he said. “That should be the most positive thing. And we did that in the past, winning all the games [in the run-in] and now we can’t do it for a variety of reasons.”

As Klopp enters the home stretch of his hugely successful eight-year reign, he is tasked with rekindling the relentless spirit that isn’t just the Liverpool way, but has been his managerial calling card throughout his career. Reds fans will be hoping their leader can work his motivational magic one last time to give the season a grander finale.