Jurgen Klopp defends Liverpool decision and makes 'low' admission after Atalanta defeat

Jurgen Klopp defended his decision to make six changes in Liverpool's 3-0 Europa League quarter-final defeat to Atalanta, insisting he "would do exactly the same again" given the chance.

The Reds suffered their sixth defeat of the campaign in a shock reverse to the Serie A side at Anfield to leave their hopes of a European trophy in Klopp's final season hanging by a thread ahead of the return leg in Bergamo next week.

Klopp opted to start Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Diaz on the bench while Diogo Jota was only considered fit enough for a late second-half cameo as Trent-Alexander Arnold remained a substitute.

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Despite the raft of changes coinciding with the heaviest defeat of the term, Klopp says he would do the same once more given the opportunity as he explained the thinking behind his team selection on the night.

“That’s how it is, we lose a game then it’s [because of] the changes, but I get the question 100%," the Liverpool boss said. "One of the reasons I would do exactly the same again is if we want to be good in the rest of the season we have to make changes.

“Harvey was all right, we didn’t take off the three worst players (at half-time). Curtis Jones came back from injury and you could see good moments, it was the most important training session he had since he’s back, 45 minutes. Harvey was all right. Kostas Tsimikas, not a lot of rhythm, so then you think to give the game a chance.

"By the way, we lost the second half 2-0 and the first half 1-0 so we don’t know which one was better, it’s just how it is. I am responsible for