Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said it wasn’t the “sunniest side” after his players were cruelly beaten by a last minute goal in extra-time to knock them out of the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Advertisement
In stoppage time, Lucas Leiva was adjudged to have fouled Enner Valencia and Liverpool’s set-piece frailties came to the fore as Angelo Ogbonna leaped highest to convert Payet’s pinpoint delivery.
The Reds took on West Ham in their fourth-round replay on Tuesday night, with the Hammers taking the lead just before half-time through Michail Antonio before Philippe Coutinho’s clever free-kick levelled matters for the visitors.
Daniel Sturridge was the other Liverpool star to make his return from injury while striker Christian Benteke failed to make his mark on the game as he missed some crucial goal scoring chances.
The Belgian striker played the full 120 minutes of the 2-1 extra-time defeat, however his greatest contribution was to fire straight at West Ham goalkeeper Darren Randolph when clean through.
“There’s no harm in saying that, it’s a special night for our club and I’m proud and happy”.
“I think it will go down as one of the greatest games and greatest nights in the history of this club”, Bilic said.
West Ham, who have had an excellent season in the Premier League, where they are sixth on the log behind Manchester United, will take on Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup fifth round away at Ewood Park on February 21. Then still we did well, created chances and put up a big fight.
“Tomorrow is recovery. It was great – [Philippe] Coutinho was back, [Divock] Origi was back too – but we need consistency in the line-up”, he added.
Klopp knows that results must follow next, but part of his side getting more results will be for them to spend more time on the training ground and working on certain aspects of their play with the hope results follow.
It was West Ham’s first FA Cup win over Liverpool in eight attempts.
“How can I say, it is not the most easy season for Liverpool FC”.
“There were lots of decisions that on a better day I’d say were amusing decisions”.
“We have to talk first, with Daniel and the medical staff before we make decisions about this [his next step]”.
However Antonio said he didn’t care where he played just as long as he was on the pitch.
Advertisement
Ilori was only recalled from an unsuccessful loan spell at Villa in mid-January, eventually getting his first senior game more than two and a half years after he signed for us.
