Liverpool had lost one of their most influential players through injury as they turned their attention to the Premier League following their Champions League exit.
Liverpool have been knocked out of the Champions League and attention has now turned to qualifying for next season’s competition.
The Reds were beaten 1-0 by Real Madrid on Wednesday night to go out 6-2 on aggregate. It was an embarrassing experience for Jurgen Klopp’s side, who know how far they are behind their opponents.
It’s been a bad week for Liverpool, who were surprisingly beaten 1-0 by relegation-threatened Bournemouth on Saturday in the Premier League. The defeat left them in sixth, six points adrift of Tottenham in the all-important fourth place.
Klopp’s side are now focused on what promises to be a tough fixture, with Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal next in the Premier League.
Bajcetic injury blow
Liverpool youngster Stefan Bajcetic has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a serious adductor injury.
Bajcetic has been one of the bright lights for Liverpool during their difficult spell in 2023, but the Spanish midfielder will not be playing for the team this season. “It’s very sad to say goodbye to this incredible season for me but I understand it’s part of football and will only make me stronger physically and mentally,” he wrote on social media.
His absence will be sorely felt by Liverpool. Mohamed Salah recently described him as a “great player and person” and said “ever since he started playing for us he has been our best player.”
Klopp opens up about ‘huge task’
Jurgen Klopp has challenged his players to respond to their Champions League defeat by filling up the Premier League table.
“It’s really a message to be in the top four,” he said in Madrid. “With the history we have in this competition, we usually start with the idea of winning it, and we have reached the final three times in recent years.
“I really believe if you want to win the competition you have to be extraordinary, and we weren’t extraordinary, so it’s normal for us to go out.
“But this is THE competition, and of course we want to be a part of it, and to be a part of it every year – so it’s a huge task for us now. And we all know that, so our job is to squeeze everything out of the rest of the season as best we can.”
Carragher made a transfer request
Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool must buy a right-back to provide competition for Trent Alexander-Arnold this summer.
Alexander-Arnold was criticized following the loss to Real Madrid. Liverpool bought Calvin Ramsay on a five-year contract from Aberdeen in June, but injuries have held him back.
“I think Liverpool are at a point where they have to go and buy a right-back,” Carragher said on CBS Sports. “That’s Jurgen Klopp’s decision in terms of how good the right-back is and how much he costs, but that player needs serious competition.
“Because he has played for five years at the top level, week after week, without rest, and has done absolutely fantastic things and won everything and won more than I ever dreamed of. I am very proud of him. – a local young man comes through the ranks – but he needs help.