Emre Can Frustrated by “Stupid” Liverpool

Liverpool headed into the weekend feeling confident. They had defeated West Brom and Stoke City the previous two weeks, overcoming injuries and a pair of opponents of the type that have often given Jürgen Klopp's side troubles. For fans and the players, Crystal Palace was an opportunity.

An opportunity to take another step towards Champions League qualification; an opportunity to remain in control of their own destiny this season. It didn't work out that way, and midfielder Emre Can is frustrated by the way he and his teammates managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

"We are frustrated and disappointed," Can said following the 2-1 loss. "We controlled the game and I think we didn't play too bad but then we conceded two goals from two chances. Everyone is disappointed because we should have won the game. It was stupid from us. Again it was a set-piece.

"We worked on them in training and had trained very well. In all the set-pieces in training we had done very well, but then again we concede a goal from a set-piece. It was stupid. At 1-0 up we have to be more clever, smarter in that position. We shouldn't have conceded those two goals."

Liverpool had looked on course to grind out another victory against a difficult bottom-half opponent, a stubborn side that wasn't giving them much to work with but also wasn't offering much of an attacking threat of their own. Then came the two chances, two goals against, and three points lost.

Now, even if Liverpool win their final four games, they won't be assured of a top four finish. Thanks to Manchester United's games in hand, Liverpool's rivals can overtake them in the final month of the season. But four wins has to be the minimum target. Nothing less is likely to do.

"Four wins has to be the target," Can added. "The next game is Watford and we want to win there and we will see what happens. Everyone is disappointed because we should have won against Palace. We can be disappointed but we have to look forward. We have got to go again and it is still in our hands.

"If we win the last four games, we will reach the Champions League. Some of the other top teams will play against each other and we will give it our best."