Klopp's Mixed Emotions, and Salah's Drop in Form: Liverpool News Round-Up

As the 2023/24 season slowly draws to a close, our Reds look increasingly like they're running out of steam at a critical juncture of the campaign.

This was evident throughout Thursday's Atalanta game, despite a perfect start from Liverpool, going 1-0 up at the 7-minute mark, they failed to capitalize and lacked their trademark intensity throughout the game.

Heading into Sunday's matchup against Fulham, Klopp's side desperately need a good performance to boost spirits and remain in arms length of the Premier League title.

Here are the latest headlines heading into the weekend.

The skipper remains hopeful despite recent disappointments

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk did his best to try and raise spirits after the Atalanta game yesterday. Trying to highlight some of the positives, despite the Reds dropping out of the competition.

The Dutchman explained that "obviously we won and we kept the clean sheet” but was quick to add that the tournament exit still leaves a horrible feeling.

On the subject of the next matchup against Fulham, van Dijk mentioned that “We have to very quickly turn this around, recover, and travel to London on Saturday" and issued a rallying cry of "needing everyone for that last push."

The Reds certainly need all the help they can get if they're to send off Jurgen Klopp on a high.

Klopp says Liverpool can focus on the Premier League after Europa League exit

Going out 3-1 on aggregate in the Europa League quarterfinals isn't exactly how Liverpool fans envisioned Jurgen Klopp's final European campaign to end.

The boss, however, refuses to wallow in the disappointment and is immediately looking ahead to the Sunday matchup against Fulham.

Our gaffer mentioned "We have a few days to recover and then we play Fulham, which will be tricky but we will give our absolute all. That's our competition now."

If there is a time for the Reds to get out of this slump it's this weekend, and here's hoping that Klopp and the boys find the groove after the recent setbacks.

Klopp "not concerned" about Salah's drop in form

It's safe to say that our Egyptian King hasn't been at this trademark best since returning from injury recently, and his performance against Atalanta in the second leg did little to inspire confidence.

When asked about our No. 11's struggles, our gaffer was quick to defend his star. "That’s what strikers do, that’s what happens to strikers, that’s how it is. We have to go through this, he has to go through that. He is one of the most experienced players we have in the squad. We will go through that but that’s pretty much all."

Klopp added "It’s not that Mo [Salah] didn’t miss chances before in his life, that’s a part of the game. The penalty was super-convincing, a super penalty, then the next chance, that was obviously unlucky but it is not the first time he missed a chance like that.”

We'd certainly back Mo to rediscover his best form sooner rather than later, but time is running out on the Reds to get their act together. Let's hope Salah and the boys bounce back this Sunday against Fulham.