Angelo Ogbonna headed home a Dimitri Payet freekick in the 121st minute at Upton Park to dump the Reds out of the FA Cup
Jurgen Klopp was left unhappy with referee Roger East after Liverpool’s dramatic extra-time defeat to West Ham on Tuesday night.Angelo Ogbonna headed home a Dimitri Payet free kick in the 121st minute at Upton Park to send West Ham into a fifth round tie with Blackburn on Saturday week, and send the Reds crashing out.
The Italian defender’s first goal in English football ensured Slaven Bilic’s hopes of silverware live on, but left Klopp - back on the touchline after missing the 2-2 draw with Sunderland at the weekend following appendix surgery - irritated.
And while he praised his side’s performance, in which they had a number of chances to claim victory, he was visibly frustrated with the officials, most notably with the foul given against captain Lucas Leiva, which handed Ogbonna his chance to become a Hammers hero.
"They got a free-kick, without a foul, and we concede a goal,” complained the Liverpool boss. "So now we go home.
"We created chances, but we didn't score goals - that's the major mistake you can make in football. But it's better to create chances and to miss than to not create chances.
"I'm not long enough here to judge these things. If you are satisfied with the performance of the referee, write it. If not, say it.
"There were a lot of situations that, on a better day, I would say are funny decisions. I would have made a few different decisions, on both sides. The only reason we were here was to go to the next round, so we are disappointed.”
Frustration: Klopp was unhappy with referee Roger East RECOMMENDED:Look younger with these clinically proven skin products to reduce wrinkles, stretch marks, age around the eyes and for renewed and vibrant complexion. Try Now!
The Reds are entering a busy part of the season in disappointing form, having not won since their 5-4 victory at Norwich on January 23.
As they prepare for the League Cup final against Manchester City and their return to Europa League action, Klopp’s side are five games without a win and have just three wins in 12 matches in 2016.
"Liverpool in this moment is not the most sunny," he added. "2-0 in the lead [against Sunderland], manager in hospital, out of the FA Cup, but tomorrow when we get up, the sun will shine. If we want, all together, we can take a lot of positive things out of this game.
"I thought they [his young side] could play like that, so I'm not surprised. But the only reason we were here was to go into the next round and so we are disappointed. That's how it is.”
However, on a night where Lucas deputised at centre-half alongside Tiago Ilori, and Pedro Chirivella made his first senior start at the heart of midfield, Klopp was happy with some of his side’s football and the willingness shown by his players.
"We did a lot of things really good, we played the game in the right direction," said Klopp. "But the first real chance went to West Ham.
"Our goal was great, a high-quality goal from Coutinho. Then still we did well, created chances and put up a big fight.
One bright note for Klopp was the return to action of England striker Daniel Sturridge.
The injury-hit striker joined the fray at Upton Park just before the hour mark and offered up a reminder of his talent, as he played more than 60 minutes in his first appearance since December 6.
Return: Sturridge played over 60 minutes at Upton Park
However, Klopp was remaining non-committal over whether he will start against Aston Villa on Sunday.
"We have to talk first with Daniel, the doctor and all of the medical staff before I make a decision about this," Klopp told the club's website.
"The game was a little bit longer than I thought because I thought we could decide it after 90 minutes, but we didn't so it was [another] 30 minutes plus. We will see.
"It was great [to have Sturridge back], everybody saw it. Divock Origi is back, Philippe Coutinho is back, so that's good, but we need consistency in the line-up."
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