Jurgen Klopp laments wasteful Liverpool and blames referee after League Cup exit

ByEurosport

Updated 25/01/2017 at 23:23 GMT

Jurgen Klopp feels Liverpool paid the price for failing to convert their chances against Southampton in their 1-0 League Cup semi-final defeat at Anfield.

Shane Long came off bench to slot home a lovely finish in added time to give Claude Puel’s men a 2-0 aggregate victory.

It is the first time Southampton have reached the League Cup final since losing 3-2 to Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest in 1979.

Shane Long scores the winner

Image credit: Reuters

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For Liverpool manager Klopp, it is a chance gone to reach the League Cup final for a second straight season after they lost to Manchester City on penalties a year ago.

"We played good football today, but of course it is a cup game. Nobody cares how you play. You have to win, and go to the final," said Klopp.

"They deserved it because they scored in both games. We didn't score. In the second half, we could have scored four or five times.

"We didn't score, that's it. We have to create chances, that's what we did, but then we have to score.

"They won both games, they deserved it. We did really well, we cannot create more chances than we did in the second half. We were dominant. It is difficult because you have to take risks but too many risks plays to their strengths."

Liverpool's Roberto Firmino shoots at goal

Image credit: Reuters

Klopp was not overly happy with the decision of referee Martin Atkinson to opt against awarding Liverpool a penalty when Long appeared to block the ball with his arm in his area as Liverpool pushed to level the tie on aggregate.

"If we could hear a referee's whistle it would be nice. Obvious things like handball, it would be nice to hear a whistle," said Klopp.

The ref didn't see the handball of Long and it doesn't help in a game like this.

"Against Manchester United, there a clear offside goal (by Zlatan Ibrahimovic), nobody says anything. Today, there was a clear handball, nobody says anything.

"I don't look for excuses, but it's hard to accept it week by week."

Southampton will face Manchester United or Hull in the final on February 26 with United 2-0 ahead from the first leg.

"It is fantastic for the club," said Puel. "Over the two legs, I think we deserved it."

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