Thursday 19 May 2016 06:54, UK
Jurgen Klopp said four 'decisive decisions' went against Liverpool as they were beaten 3-1 in the Europa League final by Sevilla.
Liverpool went into the break 1-0 up after Daniel Sturridge's fine opener, but Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson turned down three shouts for handball inside the penalty area in the first half.
He also overturned his assistant's decision to raise a flag for offside as Coke scored Sevilla's third late on, and Klopp claims his side did not get any luck.
"Today there were four decisive, obvious decisions and all were against us. In a final when it's close you need a little luck and we didn't have it. If it was 2-0 at half-time it's different," he said.
"Now we are frustrated but tomorrow or in a week we will see it more clearly and we will use it. We are out of international competitions [next season], there's not a lot of football on Wednesdays and Thursdays and that means a lot of time to train. We will come back stronger for sure.
"There were a few moments we've over-performed and the boys have been great. But you need consistency, you need more. Some day people will say Basel was a very important moment for the future of Liverpool FC.
"The first half was okay. Sevilla were playing a lot of long ball to avoid our pressing game. Obviously the first goal had a big impact on our team. We lost faith in our style of play. We lost our formation. It wasn't compact anymore. I've had this problem one or two times."
Sevilla scored after 18 seconds in the second half to equalise through Kevin Gameiro, before two goals from Coke completed the win as Liverpool collapsed.
Klopp said both his players and the Liverpool supporters were "shocked" at the leveller, but that with 44 minutes remaining, they didn't need to be.
He said: "It wasn't just the team that was shocked but the crowd was shocked too. We had a wonderful atmosphere until it went 1-1 and then Sevilla took the game.
"We had 44 minutes to strike back so what's the problem? We have to react better.
"Use the time and use the experience, that's what we've got to do. It's a long tournament for my players and a short break. We'll use the break and hopefully they'll come back fit.
"Of course, the team will be a little bit different next year. We'll do something with transfers that's clear. I'm sure we'll again be in a final and again have decisive moments and we'll have to do better.
"We have to work on it, it's not a wonder or something, it's pure work."
It is Klopp's fifth straight defeat in a final, and his second as Liverpool manager after the Capital One Cup final loss against Manchester City on penalties in February.
But the German claims he is not an unlucky person, though the defeat is hard to take.
"I don't think God has a plan for me that says always I go to the final and I get a knock. I don't think I'm an unlucky person in life," he said.
"I will carry on and I will be in another final - and you'll tell me I lost the last five finals. I will try to reach the next final even when I know I can lose it.
"There are bigger things in life but at the moment it doesn't feel it. It's hard."
