Jurgen Klopp has claimed that there was "no chance" of Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge being able to take a penalty in the League Cup final shootout against Manchester City.
Liverpool fought back from a goal down to force extra time and then the lottery of penalties, but they could not win the Cup for a record-extending ninth time as City triumphed in the shootout 3-1.
Emre Can scored the first spot kick for the Reds, but City keeper Wilfredo Caballero then saved three penalties in a row from Lucas Leiva, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana as an injury prevented striker Sturridge from stepping up.
"There was no chance [for a Sturridge penalty], he had cramps," said Klopp. "Everyone who was available took one."
Liverpool and City face off again in the Premier League on Wednesday at Anfield.
Written by
Pascal Lemesre
Pascal Lemesre
