Jurgen: Coutinho out of my hands
fighting and Britos scored three minutes into stoppage time.
Klopp said: “We scored two wonderful goals in the second half and conceded an offside goal – that’s really not fun, it’s difficult to accept.
“But we have enough training in this and accepting it because last year it happened all the time. We can do better and we have to do better.
“You cannot expect perfection in the first match, but I was not happy in the first half with the situation when it was very physical and Watford were the winners in these situations.
“They didn’t create too much, but, of course, they scored two goals and everyone will say, ‘Oh, it was a set-piece’.
“The second goal was unlucky, a formation problem.”
All of Watford’s goals were scored from close range and it is no wonder Klopp, who was without several big names through injury, wants a new central defender to shore things
LIVERPOOL’S defence was too easily breached, eight minutes into the new campaign, by Okaka. JURGEN KLOPP admits he has no control over Philippe Coutinho’s future and any decision on him will come from the Liverpool board.
The Brazilian (inset, top) submitted a transfer request on Friday after Barcelona’s second offer — this time of around £90million.
It was rejected by the Reds.
Klopp (inset, below) said: “As a manager of a football club, I have bosses and if bosses decide, for example that we sell a player or we don’t sell him, then I have to accept it.
“At the moment, I am just concentrating on my team.”
Klopp’s comments come as Fenway Sports Group, who own Liverpool, warned Coutinho: “We won’t be bullied by you.”
The Americans have sent a firm message to the player and the middlemen angling to finalise a deal to Barca. The player’s representatives have contacted the FSG to discuss the situation.
The message that has been relayed to the player is that FSG employ more costly players for Major League baseball team the Boston Red Sox, who do not dictate terms to them. And they won’t make an exception for Coutinho.
John W. Henry and his colleagues boast two players on their books, in Hanley Ramirez and Rick Porcello, who command more than $20m each per year – and they say Coutinho is not on that pay scale.
The issue is becoming highly fractious and Liverpool are anxious for their own medics to delve deeper into the back problem that has caused Coutinho to miss training for the past week.
Coutinho is willing to give medical evidence from a doctor in his homeland, proving he cannot play.