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Jurgen Klopp said he is proud of Liverpool for fighting back to secure a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Monday despite being reduced to 10 men after Darwin Nunez was sent off.
Forward Luis Diaz cancelled out Wilfried Zaha’s opener for Palace. Nunez was red carded for a head-butt on his home debut.
“I told the boys after the game I’m proud,” Klopp told reporters.
“I thought the start (of the second half) was positive again and then the red card happened. But obviously the best possible reaction from (Diaz) then — worldie, wonderful goal.
“And from that moment on it was a special game,” he said, adding that he was pleased with how much pressure they put Palace under with 10 men.
Nunez was shown a straight red card in the 57th minute for his reaction to a shove from Palace defender Joachim Andersen, and Klopp said the Uruguayan international needed to learn from his mistake, which will likely result in a three-match ban.
“A little provocation here and there and definitely the wrong reaction. A clear red card, I cannot deny that. He will learn from that,” Klopp said.
“Unfortunately, he has now a few games’ time to do so.
“Andersen wanted that, I would say, and he got it. But he made a mistake, Darwin, so of course, we will talk about it.”
Liverpool, who are 12th after drawing their first two games, next travel to Old Trafford to face bottom side Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen said he has received death threats directed at him and his family after he was head-butted by Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez in Monday’s Premier League draw which resulted in the striker being sent off at Anfield.
Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw after their new signing Nunez was shown a straight red card just before the hour mark when he squared up with Andersen and appeared to head-butt the Danish defender.
The result leaves Liverpool winless after two games — down in 12th place — and fans vented their frustration by contacting Andersen on Instagram, where he highlighted the abusive messages he had received.
“Got maybe 3-400 of these messages last night. I understand you support a team but have some respect and stop (acting) tough online,” Andersen said before sharing screenshots of abuse and death threats in his inbox.
“Hope Instagram and the Premier League do something about this.”
Reuters has contacted Instagram for comment.
Nunez’s red card will result in a three-match ban and Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp — who is left facing a striker crisis with Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota injured — said he hoped the Uruguayan would learn from his mistake. — ©Reuters/AFP
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