Liverpool manager Klopp debunks Fulham theory after crushing sixth home defeat

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has hit back at Fulham midfielder Harrison Reed after he claimed his team wanted victory more at Anfield on Sunday. Fulham beat Liverpool 1-0 on Merseyside to make it six home Premier League defeats in a row for the Klopp’s side.

Mario Lemina’s fine strike late in the first half was the only goal of the game as the Reds once again failed to score at their home ground.

Liverpool are now four points off the top four, with many of the teams above them having at least one game in hand.

Afterwards, Reed told Sky Sports that Fulham wanted to win more than Liverpool.

Reed reflected: “We did want it more and that was evident on the pitch and a big factor in getting three points today.”

But Klopp would not be drawn on that assessment and insisted his players were determined to win the game.

Responding to Reed’s comments, Klopp said: “The winner’s always right. What can I say? My boys wanted it.

“Wanted it more? It’s easy to judge. They have won it and so they wanted it more, but I don’t think that’s the problem.”

Klopp says he knew Fulham would cause his side problems and admits the timing of Lemina’s strike was a big blow.

“Fulham will cause us problems – it’s clear,” Klopp continued.

“They’re in a good moment, they’re a good team. We all agree a team like this should stay in the Premier League.

“There were moments we could have had more of an impact on the game. Conceding that goal before half-time was a massive blow.

“We tried to react and the boys showed that. In the end we don’t score goals and that’s a big problem. We never had momentum in the season. You can see it’s still in the boys. They still have it all but at the moment can’t show it. It would be a masterpiece to find out how we change that overnight.”

Meanwhile, Fulham boss Scott Parker says he expected his side would get something from Anfield.

“The first half, we were what I wanted us to look like,” Parker told Sky Sports.

“In the first half we had chances. The boys stuck to the plan and we were well worthy of the first goal.

“In the second half you don’t plan dynamics to go like that. We showed another side to us – character, resilience, doggedness. I’m very proud of the team today.”