Liverpool FC's premature cup exit feels "particularly bad" for Jürgen Klopp at the moment. That's what the coach said after the 2-1 draw at Brighton

"If we were in a better situation, ten points more in the league and something like that, and then you lose here in Brighton, you would say respect!" said Klopp. "But we're in a situation where we're trying to make that final step all the time, so it feels particularly bad right now because that didn't happen."

Nevertheless, Klopp also saw positive aspects in his team's defeat in the fourth round of the cup. "There were steps in the right direction again," emphasized the 55-year-old. "I can imagine that nobody can hear that anymore. I can't hear it myself anymore. But it's still true. That means we have to build on it."

Two weeks earlier, Liverpool suffered a 3-0 defeat in Brighton in the Premier League. After all, his team performed much better in the cup, said Klopp. "We've mostly closed the gaps they came through last time, but that doesn't help for set pieces," said the coach after the Reds conceded goals from a corner kick and free-kick. "Of course it doesn't feel great. It's not cool, but we have to accept it."