Juergen Klopp blames Anfield pitch after Southampton stalemate stalls Champions League charge

A disappointed Juergen Klopp said the “really dry” Anfield pitch was partially to blame for Liverpool’s drab 0-0 home draw with Southampton that damaged their Champions League ambitions.

James Milner’s second-half missed penalty summed up an afternoon of frustration for Liverpool on Sunday as they failed to score against Southampton for the fourth time this season.

Liverpool knew that three wins from their remaining three matches would secure a top-four spot and Champions League football next season.

But Klopp’s side never got started against a Southampton team who had Fraser Forster to thank for a string of outstanding saves.

Third-placed Liverpool have now made qualifying for the Champions League more difficult than they would have wished and Klopp, who spent most of the second half ranting on the sidelines, struggled to hide his disappointment.

The Reds boss curiously insisted the poor quality of the Anfield surface had negatively affected his team’s performance.