Jurgen Klopp believes injuries are playing a part in Liverpool's inconsistent form but said that is 'no excuse' for the defeat to Leeds/ Getty
Jurgen Klopp believes injuries are playing a part in Liverpool's inconsistent form but said that is 'no excuse' for the defeat to Leeds/ Getty
Jurgen Klopp believes injuries are playing a part in Liverpool's inconsistent form but said that is 'no excuse' for the defeat to Leeds/ Getty
Jurgen Klopp believes injuries are playing a part in Liverpool's inconsistent form but said that is 'no excuse' for the defeat to Leeds/ Getty

Sport

Football

Liverpool cannot qualify for Champions League without consistency, says Klopp

Reds fall to second straight Premier League defeat with 2-1 loss to Leeds at Anfield

The National

October 30, 2022

  • English
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Jurgen Klopp has said Liverpool can forget about qualifying for next season's Champions League unless they find some consistency after Saturday's shock 2-1 home defeat to Leeds United.

Crysencio Summerville's 89th minute goal inflicted Liverpool's first home league loss in front of a crowd since April 2017, after Mohamed Salah had cancelled out Rodrigo's opener.

READ MORE

Liverpool's long unbeaten home run ends in shock 2-1 defeat by Leeds

Liverpool have now lost twice as many games in the first 12 league games of this season as they did in 38 last season, and are 13 points behind Manchester City at the top of the table and eight adrift of the top four.

"We cannot qualify for the Champions League if you play as inconsistent as we do in the moment," said Klopp. "We have to fix that and then anything is possible."

For the second time in a week, Liverpool were beaten by a side that started the day in the relegation zone, following last weekend's defeat at Nottingham Forest.

Klopp again pointed the finger for his side's struggles this season on a series of injuries and a brutal schedule to make way for a mid-season World Cup.

"The situation is like it is. There is no excuse but we had problems from the first day with injuries or half-fit players. Some play too often, others play too early (after injury).

"It's not now for an overhaul, but you have to fight through and fight for momentum and confidence."

Leeds began the night second bottom of the table but climbed out of the relegation zone thanks to their first win in nine games. That winless run had left Jesse Marsch fighting to save his job.

"Everybody has made a big deal about firing me, but the board and I have been unified and we've stuck together," said the American.

"My feeling is that we shouldn't be in the situation we're in, but we are. I've tried to stay calm, but I've also tried to push. The players have stepped up big today."

Liverpool v Leeds player ratings

LIVERPOOL PLAYER RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 6. The Brazilian took responsibility for the opening goal but Gomez’s blind pass was the bigger issue. Liverpool defenders sometimes have too much confidence in their goalkeeper. AFP
LIVERPOOL PLAYER RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 6. The Brazilian took responsibility for the opening goal but Gomez’s blind pass was the bigger issue. Liverpool defenders sometimes have too much confidence in their goalkeeper. AFP
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 5. The 24-year-old showed flashes of his attacking ability but was not his usual, dangerous self. His defending was adequate and he made way for Milner with 11 minutes to go. AFP
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 5. The 24-year-old showed flashes of his attacking ability but was not his usual, dangerous self. His defending was adequate and he made way for Milner with 11 minutes to go. AFP
Joe Gomez - 4. The 25-year-old started badly by gifting Leeds a goal and seemed not to regain confidence. No defender should pass backwards without checking the opposition. EPA
Joe Gomez - 4. The 25-year-old started badly by gifting Leeds a goal and seemed not to regain confidence. No defender should pass backwards without checking the opposition. EPA
Virgil van Dijk - 4. The Dutchman was lackadaisical. The margin between imperious and indolent is sometimes thin. He was on the wrong side of the line. AFP
Virgil van Dijk - 4. The Dutchman was lackadaisical. The margin between imperious and indolent is sometimes thin. He was on the wrong side of the line. AFP
Andrew Robertson - 7. The Scot was the only Liverpool player who was anywhere near his best. He got up and down the line and provided the cross for Salah’s goal. Getty
Andrew Robertson - 7. The Scot was the only Liverpool player who was anywhere near his best. He got up and down the line and provided the cross for Salah’s goal. Getty
Fabinho - 3. You had better be producing a performance of heroic proportions if you are going to chide the crowd. The Brazilian tried to gee up the Kop despite being awful. He was replaced by Henderson in the 61st minute and no one was surprised. Getty
Fabinho - 3. You had better be producing a performance of heroic proportions if you are going to chide the crowd. The Brazilian tried to gee up the Kop despite being awful. He was replaced by Henderson in the 61st minute and no one was surprised. Getty
Harvey Elliott - 4. The 19-year-old looked out of his depth. Youngsters have nights like this and need to be bailed out by more experienced teammates. He was left hanging and substituted for Jones in the 60th minute. EPA
Harvey Elliott - 4. The 19-year-old looked out of his depth. Youngsters have nights like this and need to be bailed out by more experienced teammates. He was left hanging and substituted for Jones in the 60th minute. EPA
Roberto Firmino - 5. The Brazilian was in and out of the game. He linked play nicely and was foiled twice by Meslier in the closing stages. Getty
Roberto Firmino - 5. The Brazilian was in and out of the game. He linked play nicely and was foiled twice by Meslier in the closing stages. Getty
Thiago Alcantara - 4. The 31-year-old's passing was off beam. His mobility was questionable, too, and he was easily bypassed by Leeds breaks. AFP
Thiago Alcantara - 4. The 31-year-old's passing was off beam. His mobility was questionable, too, and he was easily bypassed by Leeds breaks. AFP
Mohamed Salah - 6. The Egyptian scored the equaliser and showed signs of an understanding with Nunez. His teammates need to find a way of getting him the ball more often. AP
Mohamed Salah - 6. The Egyptian scored the equaliser and showed signs of an understanding with Nunez. His teammates need to find a way of getting him the ball more often. AP
Darwin Nunez - 5. The Uruguayan needs to lose his unfortunate knack of hitting the goalkeeper. He also needs to develop better decision-making. AFP
Darwin Nunez - 5. The Uruguayan needs to lose his unfortunate knack of hitting the goalkeeper. He also needs to develop better decision-making. AFP
SUBS: Curtis Jones (Elliot 60') - 5. The 21-year-old promised an immediate impact with his direct running but found too many blind allies. Getty
SUBS: Curtis Jones (Elliot 60') - 5. The 21-year-old promised an immediate impact with his direct running but found too many blind allies. Getty
Jordan Henderson (Fabinho 61') - 5. The 32-year-old found it hard to impose himself on the game. Getty
Jordan Henderson (Fabinho 61') - 5. The 32-year-old found it hard to impose himself on the game. Getty
James Milner (Alexander-Arnold 79') - N/A. The 36-year-old will be disappointed the winning goal came down his flank. AFP
James Milner (Alexander-Arnold 79') - N/A. The 36-year-old will be disappointed the winning goal came down his flank. AFP
LEEDS PLAYER RATINGS: Illan Meslier - 8. The Frenchman made a succession of saves that kept his team in the game. Most of them were routine but the goalkeeper made things look easy. AFP
LEEDS PLAYER RATINGS: Illan Meslier - 8. The Frenchman made a succession of saves that kept his team in the game. Most of them were routine but the goalkeeper made things look easy. AFP
Rasmus Kristensen - 7. The Dane provided an outlet going forward and Aaronson hit the bar from his dangerous cross. He had some nervous moments defensively but made up for it with a series of tackles and blocks. Reuters
Rasmus Kristensen - 7. The Dane provided an outlet going forward and Aaronson hit the bar from his dangerous cross. He had some nervous moments defensively but made up for it with a series of tackles and blocks. Reuters
Robin Koch - 6. The German had his hands full with Nunez and sometimes looked less than secure. He rarely panicked, though, and stuck to his task. Reuters
Robin Koch - 6. The German had his hands full with Nunez and sometimes looked less than secure. He rarely panicked, though, and stuck to his task. Reuters
Liam Cooper - 5. The 31-year-old rode his luck. He got caught out of passion on occasion and could have been punished by more clinical finishing. Getty
Liam Cooper - 5. The 31-year-old rode his luck. He got caught out of passion on occasion and could have been punished by more clinical finishing. Getty
Pascal Struijk - 7. The 23-year-old had a daunting challenge against Salah but did his best to keep the Egyptian relatively quiet. This meant he did not get forward as much as Kristensen. EPA
Pascal Struijk - 7. The 23-year-old had a daunting challenge against Salah but did his best to keep the Egyptian relatively quiet. This meant he did not get forward as much as Kristensen. EPA
Tyler Adams - 7. The American worked relentlessly to ensure Liverpool could not dominate the midfield. His distribution was effective when his team were in possession. AFP
Tyler Adams - 7. The American worked relentlessly to ensure Liverpool could not dominate the midfield. His distribution was effective when his team were in possession. AFP
Marc Roca - 6. The Spaniard found it hard to get a grip on the game in the first half. He improved after the break but his passing was far from perfect. Getty
Marc Roca - 6. The Spaniard found it hard to get a grip on the game in the first half. He improved after the break but his passing was far from perfect. Getty
Jack Harrison - 5. The 25-year-old forced a first-half save from Alisson but too often failed to live up to his promise. He was replaced by Gnonto in the 72nd minute. PA
Jack Harrison - 5. The 25-year-old forced a first-half save from Alisson but too often failed to live up to his promise. He was replaced by Gnonto in the 72nd minute. PA
Brenden Aaronson - 8. The American hit the woodwork and was at the centre of most of his side’s best work. He aimed to cause danger every time he picked up the ball. AP
Brenden Aaronson - 8. The American hit the woodwork and was at the centre of most of his side’s best work. He aimed to cause danger every time he picked up the ball. AP
Crysencio Summerville - 7. The Dutchman spent much of the game looking out of his depth. He changed perceptions with his winning goal before being replaced by Ayling in stoppage time. AFP
Crysencio Summerville - 7. The Dutchman spent much of the game looking out of his depth. He changed perceptions with his winning goal before being replaced by Ayling in stoppage time. AFP
Rodrigo - 6. The Brazilian was the grateful recipient of Gomez’s error and opened the scoring. After that he could not carve out many chances and he made way for Bamford in the 52nd minute. Reuters
Rodrigo - 6. The Brazilian was the grateful recipient of Gomez’s error and opened the scoring. After that he could not carve out many chances and he made way for Bamford in the 52nd minute. Reuters
SUBS: Patrick Bamford (Rodrigo 52') - 5. The 29-year-old's touch let him down when a big opportunity arose. AP
SUBS: Patrick Bamford (Rodrigo 52') - 5. The 29-year-old's touch let him down when a big opportunity arose. AP
Wilfried Gnonto (Harrison 72') - 6. The 18-year-old injected a burst of energy into the team. AFP
Wilfried Gnonto (Harrison 72') - 6. The 18-year-old injected a burst of energy into the team. AFP
Luke Ayling (Summerville 90+1') - N/A. The 31-year-old provided extra security in the closing moments of the game. EPA
Luke Ayling (Summerville 90+1') - N/A. The 31-year-old provided extra security in the closing moments of the game. EPA

Leeds could not have wished for a more generous gift from the hosts than for the opener after just four minutes.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker stumbled as he tried to reach Joe Gomez's backpass, allowing Rodrigo an easy finish into the unguarded net for the Spaniard's sixth goal of the season.

The lead did not last long as Salah levelled with his seventh goal in five games against Leeds by steering home Andy Robertson's cross on 14 minutes.

An unusually late Saturday night kick-off for the Premier League caused by Liverpool's Champions League commitments on Tuesday contributed to a crackling atmosphere.

Spurred on by both sets of supporters, the two teams continued to tear from one end of the field to the other in a wide open match.

Leeds were inches away from retaking the lead when Brendan Aaronson hit the crossbar before Alisson made amends for his earlier slip by saving from Jack Harrison.

Darwin Nunez had scored in his previous four starts to start repaying his €75 million transfer fee. But the Uruguayan had a night to forget in front of goal as he twice failed to beat Illan Meslier when one-on-one with the French goalkeeper.

Meslier also saved from Salah and Roberto Firmino in the closing stages as Leeds looked to be hanging on just for a point. But Summerville produced a moment of genius to give them all three and set up a memorable 21st birthday for the Dutch winger tomorrow.

"My birthday is going to be special!" Summerville said. "Scoring the winner at Anfield is a dream for every player."

THE CLOWN OF GAZA

Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh122,745

On sale: now

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Main report
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
Dr Graham's three goals

Short term

Establish logistics and systems needed to globally deploy vaccines


Intermediate term

Build biomedical workforces in low- and middle-income nations


Long term

A prototype pathogen approach for pandemic preparedness  

MANDOOB
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Ali%20Kalthami%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Mohammed%20Dokhei%2C%20Sarah%20Taibah%2C%20Hajar%20Alshammari%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Conflict, drought, famine

Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.

Band Aid

Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.

Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
ELECTION%20RESULTS
%3Cp%3EMacron%E2%80%99s%20Ensemble%20group%20won%20245%20seats.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20second-largest%20group%20in%20parliament%20is%20Nupes%2C%20a%20leftist%20coalition%20led%20by%20Jean-Luc%20Melenchon%2C%20which%20gets%20131%20lawmakers.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20far-right%20National%20Rally%20fared%20much%20better%20than%20expected%20with%2089%20seats.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20centre-right%20Republicans%20and%20their%20allies%20took%2061.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

What is Genes in Space?

Genes in Space is an annual competition first launched by the UAE Space Agency, The National and Boeing in 2015.

It challenges school pupils to design experiments to be conducted in space and it aims to encourage future talent for the UAE’s fledgling space industry. It is the first of its kind in the UAE and, as well as encouraging talent, it also aims to raise interest and awareness among the general population about space exploration. 

On Women's Day
On Women's Day
EU's%2020-point%20migration%20plan
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Updated: October 30, 2022, 4:28 AM`
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