“It is insane that he has even played!” - Jurgen Klopp salutes Liverpool star after final European game as Reds boss

Departing Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for Trent Alexander-Arnold following the fullback's performance against Atalanta on Thursday night (April 18). The German revealed that the English defender was struggling with his fitness before the game and applauded his willingness to play.

The Reds went to Bergamo trailing 3-0 on aggregate after losing the first leg at Anfield. The Liverpool boss had harbored hopes of a comeback on the night to extend their run in Europe, but it was not to be. Mohamed Salah's seventh-minute penalty would be the only goal of the game as the English side were eliminated 3-1 on aggregate.

Speaking via The Mirror after the game, Klopp said:

"It was clear we gave ourselves a massive hurdle. I liked the game a lot tonight with the desire and power the boys show. It was incredible from them. It was really tricky and we were too hasty in moments. If Trent Alexander-Arnold had been a bit fitter we could have gone a bit longer, but it is insane that he has even played! In the end he was running out of gas."

He continued:

"We won the game and that was the reaction we wanted to show. It was difficult and we knew it would be but they deserve to go through 100%. We have to focus on the league and that is exactly what we will do from now. Tonight we won the game so we are back to winning ways. We have a few days to recover to go again against Fulham. That will be a different game but it will be tricky."

The outgoing Liverpool boss addressed this being his final European match for the club, saying:

"It is mixed emotions. We are out but I am happy with the game. We would have wished that we could have gone to Dublin but that hasn't happened."

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Liverpool down to one front

Liverpool have endured a disappointing month that saw their dreams of a magical quadruple dashed. The Anfield-based side had hoped for a special send off to departing manager Jurgen Klopp but might have to settle for just the League Cup.

The Reds first got knocked out of the FA Cup by eternal rivals Manchester United in March before dropping points to them in the league as well. Back-to-back defeats at home to Atalanta and Crystal Palace have seen Liverpool knocked out of the Europa League and fall to third in the league. The Anfield side now sit two points behind the Manchester City juggernaut with six games to play.

Liverpool will next take on Fulham at Craven Cottage in the Premier League on Sunday, April 21. Klopp will hope he can leave the club with more than just the Carabao Cup to help ease the transition to a new era at Anfield.