Jurgen Klopp continues to be stumped by Southampton after Liverpool were held to a goalless draw at Anfield.
Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat to Arsenal means the Reds’ result hasn’t dented their Champions League hopes too significantly, but equally, they missed a valuable chance to gain ground.
James Milner’s missed penalty – thanks, in large part to Fraser Forster’s mind games – was the only really notable moment of a game that screamed end-of-season, little-to-play-for.
For Liverpool, however, there is something to play for, and Klopp must be concerned by their lacklustre performance.
Yet, rather than admit that publicly, he came out with a rather feeble excuse in his post-match press conference.
“I know people don’t want to hear this but the pitch was really dry,” he said.
“We gave it all the water we had but, because of the wind, it was really dry.
“It was nobody’s fault, but it made it difficult to play.”
Until this weekend, Milner had not missed a penalty since 2009, so perhaps that was indicative that this was not Liverpool’s afternoon.
Klopp’s side remain in third, a point clear of Manchester City, but Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand. United, meanwhile, trail Liverpool by five points.
Check out Football Advisor for profitable betting predictions
