Jurgen Klopp praised Liverpool’s tenacity after his team’s 2-0 FA Cup third-round victory against an energised Arsenal.
At the Emirates Stadium, Klopp’s squad had to weather an Arsenal onslaught for a whole match before finally winning it with two goals in the last seconds.
Jakub Kiwior of Arsenal put the game away in stoppage time after deftly heading a free-kick from Trent Alexander-Arnold into his own goal in the 80th minute.
Liverpool proved they had the mental toughness to win trophies this season despite missing Virgil van Dijk (illness) and Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo (international service).
We succeeded in the end. Our potential victory in this game fills me with joy. Undoubtedly, Arsenal had a chance to win it. We completed it, and it reflected the guys’ character,” Klopp said.
I’m really pleased. It was a really challenging draw. Perhaps the most challenging task we could have faced.
The first half of the game was very difficult to appreciate. At halftime, we made a few adjustments.
The second half was when we were at our best. We battled for ninety-five minutes, scored goals.
Klopp was glad to escape a lengthy FA Cup replay, since Premier League leaders Liverpool were pursuing four trophies and had a League Cup semi-final first leg against Fulham in midweek.
As they seek their first championship since 2020, Liverpool are two points clear of Aston Villa in second position and five ahead of Arsenal in fourth.
Klopp looks forward to Liverpool’s break
After their play against Fulham, Liverpool will have a rejuvenating break until their Premier League match against Bournemouth on January 21, allowing them to avoid a repeat with Arsenal.
A draw was the last thing any of us wanted. The fact that I am no longer tasked with making judgments is a relief,” Klopp said.
After a couple days off, the next game is on Wednesday. To get where we are, we need to take action. A winter vacation is now in our plans.
Klopp praised Alexander-Arnold, an English defender, for his part in Liverpool’s second-half offensive surge.
His performance in each position was outstanding, by the way. With his class on the ball, you can see it,” the German grumbled.
With three consecutive losses, Arsenal’s once-promising season is now in jeopardy; they have won just one of their last six games in all competitions.
Mikel Arteta’s squad is now not only not leading the Premier League, but they have also been eliminated from the FA Cup and the League Cup.
Arteta acknowledged that they were solely responsible for their failure to capitalize on several opportunities.
Both the performance and the number of opportunities were satisfactory. “We need to win the game, but we blew it and aren’t making the most of it,” he said.
I have never seen a team beat the top European team when they are that good and create that many opportunities.
However, that is insufficient. In actuality, it falls short.
Despite Arsenal’s unfortunate dip, Arteta said he would not panic.
What am I to do when my squad plays with such assurance? He emphasized that he was still fully supporting them.
“It is what it is and we have to continue to play the same way and be more efficient.”