Bruno Lage has told his Wolverhampton Wanderers players to listen to Jurgen Klopp’s positive words after their agonising defeat to Liverpool. Substitute Divock Origi scored to clinch a 1-0 win for Liverpool in stoppage time at Molineux after a valiant effort from Lage’s players. Despite the devastating late blow, Lage is proud after watching his side go toe-to-toe with ‘one of the best teams in the world’.
Bruno Lage said: “When you look at Liverpool they usually put one midfielder, Fabinho, when they are building up, but today they also put Thiago in there. There was some confusion on how to press, but after we’d talked to the players I believe we pressed well in the second half. We had more space to create our chances. We are very solid. (Nelson) Semedo, Rayan (Ait-Nouri) and especially the three centre-backs, they are there and doing a fantastic job for us. I’m proud of everyone. Everyone defends, everyone attacks.”
Liverpool boss Klopp spoke positively about Wolves in his pre-match press conference, hailing the team’s new style of play under Lage, and admitted the difficulties his side faced at Molineux after the game. Lage believes his players should take heart from those words.Bruno Lage added: “It’s important for us to listen to Klopp’s words about our team because we are there, playing as a unit. We must move on because today we played one of the best teams in the world and next week we will play one of the best teams in the world.”
It was a tough ask for ex-Red Hoever to get up to speed in an unfamiliar position, and he also gifted possession back to Liverpool when he should have passed to Raul Jimenez in stoppage time.
Bruno Lage continued: “The most important thing to say in this moment is when we win, we win together, when we lose, we lose together. We did a solid performance and we cannot lose that ball in extra-time. Our job and our strategy was to stop them from having transitions. When you lose the ball, don’t give them a transition. I don’t want to point to no one, but it’s frustrating because I come to the dressing room and see my players’ faces. We didn’t deserve to lose this game. Me and the fans should be proud of our players.”
