How do you explain that result?
It is very hard to explain at the moment, I am still processing the game, the second half. We started the game really well, we knew the strength of Liverpool, we played well over their press with the balls behind their defence and plying from the second ball and continue our attack from those moments. I think the goal was a great moment in a transition and the way we gave the corner away, we knew that if you play short pass after sort pas they will press you and when you lose it they will be very dangerous. The first moment we did it, we concede the corner kick and got the goal against and especially in the second half, at 2-1 instead of playing for the second ball we played too sort too many times. We had four transition moments when we lost the ball and they punished us really quick with the attack they have. In the last 25 minutes, we were not in the game, not with our heads and the decisions we made against a team like Liverpool, with Thiago, Salah and Jota and you are not in the game you get punished."
Did the players throw the towel in?
The first half and the last half an hour was night and day, comparing how we played and the difference in level in the Champions League is too much. The first hour we were there and we can make it difficult for many opponents at Ibrox but the way we played the last 25 minutes, you will lose against any team we play here. I cannot explain. I have to process this, I cannot explain at the moment.
How do you pick the players up to face Motherwell?
We have three days to do so. Still, the emotions run from today, which is what we need to feel because the overall performance and the result is not the way we want to represent this club. No excuses for this performance from no-one. We need to process that.
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How do you solve the issues seen tonight and do you accept the criticism that will come your way?
Of course, we need to accept the criticism. It’s part of my job, part of the players’ job. When you perform like this - I don’t mean the whole 90 minutes, but the last 25 minutes -you will get criticism and we have to take it on the chin. That’s what we have to do. The difference in the way we played, the levels reached in the game is too big. The difference cannot be so big.
Is it concerning that the manner of weakness is repeating itself in this team?
It is yes. We need to solve it. We need to find a way to make sure that those moments within games will not happen again. We have had a couple of big defeats already this season. That’s not what we want. We need to work on it because in the league there are a lot of big games still coming until the break. We need to improve our performance, keep our level, keep our focus for the 90 minutes. If we lose focus against any team, but especially teams with the quality Liverpool have, you will get punished quickly as you saw.
What did you say to the players in the dressing room?
In some moments, I think silence is appropriate in there. The whole locker room was quiet because everyone feels the big loss we had. Sometimes when emotions are very high, it is better not to speak. Process the game and pick it up tomorrow.
Is there any news on the injuries to Connor Goldson and Ryan Jack?
Both weren't good because they couldn’t continue. Connor felt something in his muscle. We have to wait and see what exactly the injury is, but he will be out. The same goes for Ryan. We need to wait until tomorrow and assess their injuries and how long it’s going to be there are out for.
Are you mentally strong enough?
We have to change our mentality, that’s for sure. We can be very strong, as we showed today. But when we are not there mentally then our levels drop really quick. We perform way less than we should do. That’s something we need to avoid for the future in this competition and also in the league. It’s a thing we have to improve if we are to be successful this year.
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