Klopp looked for the positive in a negative, now Liverpool must prove it was just a blip

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Liverpool suffered a sucker punch at the weekend, but Jürgen Klopp wants them to use the setback to ultimately benefit them.

For everyone associated with Liverpool, it was hard not to feel down following the weekend’s defeat to Bournemouth. After playing well enough to establish a two-goal lead on two occasions, they collapsed in the latter stages to lose 4-3.

The result leaves them four points behind Chelsea in the title race, in third place, and brought an unbeaten run going back to the second game of the season against Burnley to an end.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp looks dejected

Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp told the club’s official website afterwards: “On the way like we are, there is no easy [way] – it is not without knocks, but in these moments you can get stronger. That’s what we will be after this experience – and in the next game, we can already show that.”

A classic response of trying to use the negative as a springboard for a positive. If this defeat were late on in the season, many would be queuing up to question whether Liverpool had the stomach to challenge for the title, and ask if they had ‘bottled’ it.

Klopp will be looking for an immediate response next weekend when the Reds face a struggling West Ham United side at Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool’s Emre Can looks dejected after the game

There have been concerns over his side’s defence this season but prior to Sunday’s loss – and it must be said, with Joel Matip’s presence in the side – there had been signs of improvement.

Even when sides had found the net against them, they had managed to see games through – West Bromwich Albion at home and Chelsea away being the most notable example. They have proved they have it in their locker to keep clean sheets but they need to do it on a more regular basis

There is plenty of time for Liverpool to put Sunday’s defeat behind them, and rectify it over the course of the season. They have to prove it’s a blip and for it not to blight their campaign overall.