The Liverpool squad look to have taken defeat to Man United in their stride as they aim for a swift response at home to Watford on Saturday.
The Reds suffered their first loss since the end of January as Marcus Rashford’s brace ensured a setback in their pursuit of a second-placed finish.
Dropping points at Old Trafford was far from ideal for Jurgen Klopp‘s side, but with the Hornets due to visit Anfield on March 17 they have the perfect opportunity to bounce back.
That is exactly what Loris Karius is aiming for, with the goalkeeper taking to Instagram to show his disappointment after the weekend’s result:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgMIdrugGji
The 24-year-old urged his team-mates to “look forward and bounce back,” also praising the travelling Kop for their support, drowning out the United fans throughout.
This was echoed by Georginio Wijnaldum, who made his first appearance in four games as a second-half substitute, replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold for the final 10 minutes in Manchester:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgMFzBIDTYb
As with Karius, Wijnaldum’s overriding message was to “focus on the next game,” with Liverpool still firmly in the top-four race at this stage.
Arguably the most impressive reaction came from Alexander-Arnold himself, with the 19-year-old proving his maturity as he vowed to “learn from this and come back stronger”:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgJykNmF4ar
Alexander-Arnold endured a particularly difficult afternoon, with the right-back exploited by Rashford for both of his goals after Dejan Lovren was beaten in the air by Romelu Lukaku.
Lovren eventually switched with Virgil van Dijk, with the Dutchman marking United’s No. 9, having more success in the defensive third than in front of goal, where he missed one big opportunity.
Van Dijk’s assessment was in line with Alexander-Arnold’s, with the £75 million centre-back left “gutted” but insisting “we go again”:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgLlQaCHzFT
After such a demoralising result it would be easy, and perhaps wise, for Klopp’s squad to avoid social media and focus on matters on the training field.
But the attitude shown by Karius, Wijnaldum, Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk in accepting their faults and focusing on a response against the Hornets is commendable.
Liverpool have only lost back-to-back games once this season, following up January’s 1-0 loss to Swansea City in the league with a messy 3-2 defeat at home to West Brom in the FA Cup.
All but one of their other losses has seen a return to winning ways directly after, and with Watford producing a limp display as they fell to a 3-0 thrashing at Arsenal on Sunday, the Reds can remain confident.
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