Left to right, Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jordan Henderson and Dejan Lovren look dejected after the game

Jurgen Klopp defends Liverpool after “misjudgement” leads to Sevilla stalemate

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists their squandering of a three-goal lead in the 3-3 draw with Sevilla was a “misjudgement” by his players.

Two goals from Roberto Firmino either side of a Sadio Mane strike put the Reds on the verge of qualification for the Champions League knockout stage with a game to spare before the first half had even ended.

However, after the break they collapsed, conceding two to Wissam Ben Yedder inside 15 minutes before Guido Pizarro delivered the final blow with a 93rd-minute equaliser.

“Fantastic first half for us, the second half we made a mistake, we didn’t carry on playing football,” said Klopp.

“We became passive, they scored the first, then it was obvious the atmosphere changed immediately. That gave them a big boost.

“When controlling the game it is not allowed to become passive in a game like this.

“They are human beings. It was misjudgement.”

SEVILLE, SPAIN - Tuesday, November 21, 2017: Liverpool players Joe Gomez, Ragnar Klavan, Georginio Wijnaldum looks dejected after throwing away a three goal half-time lead as Sevilla score a late equalising goal during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between Sevilla FC and Liverpool FC at the Estadio RamÛn S·nchez Pizju·n. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

There was an element of history repeating itself as Liverpool led the 2016 Europa League final 1-0 at half-time only to lose 3-1 and six of the players who featured in Basel on that night played some part in Seville.

The character of Klopp’s players has been called into question since then but the Reds boss does not believe it is an issue.

“We showed already fantastic mentality against Dortmund, we showed it in a lot of other games.

“Yes it was not perfect tonight but it’s not a general problem. It just happened.

“Could we have done better? 100 percent. Do I think it’s a mentality problem? 100 percent not.

“We opened the door for them, didn’t close it, so they could score in the last minute. That’s the story of the game.”

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