Joe Gomez has emphasized that Liverpool should not have found themselves in a position where they needed a late equalizer against Toulouse, following their 3-2 defeat that ended their perfect start to the Europa League campaign and delayed their qualification to the last 16.
Liverpool’s performance at the Stadium de Toulouse was subpar, falling two goals behind before Cristian Casseres Jr own goal provided a lifeline. Although Frank Magri’s goal extended the hosts’ lead to 3-1, Diogo Jota’s late goal set the stage for a tense finish.
Jarell Quansah appeared to have scored a potential equalizer deep into stoppage time, but a VAR review disallowed it due to an alleged handball by Alexis Mac Allister during the buildup.
Jurgen Klopp, in his post-match press conference, expressed greater concern about Liverpool’s overall performance than the decision to disallow Quansah’s goal, a sentiment echoed by Joe Gomez.
“It’s obviously disappointing, we never quite got control of the game. Obviously they went in front and then we never really got control of the game,” Gomez said to TNT Sports.
“They made it difficult for us with the atmosphere but it’s on us. It’s frustrating that the decision didn’t go for us but we shouldn’t have been in this position in the first place.
“I think everyone is obviously complaining about it but we have to control the game and it’s easy for us to moan and complain about the decision but I think they will look at it and if it’s a goal, it’s a goal and if it’s not, it’s not. It is what it is and we can’t control that.
“All we can do is not be in this position to begin with and not be chasing the game at that point so we have to work on it and go again in the next game.”
Gomez added, “I think they made it difficult, we didn’t quite get hold of second balls and they were quite aggressive in the challenges. We didn’t stay composed around their box and we didn’t use the ball well enough. But we created some decent chances and got two goals.
“So it’s tough, it’s playing away from home in Europe and it’s never going to be easy. But we have to learn from it and then we go again in the next group game.
“Tiredness? No, it’s still early and we’ve got great depth in the squad and the gaffer has made changes. So it’s not about making excuses. We need to pick ourselves up and get ready for the weekend.”
Liverpool will return to Premier League play on Sunday when Brentford visits Anfield in their last game before the November international break.