Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has bemoaned his players for not passing Takumi Minamino against Chelsea more often.
Blues goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalga made a superb triple stop as the hosts fought for a great 2-0 FA Cup victory in the fifth round at Stamford Bridge.
Just two weeks ago, fleeing Premier League leader Liverpool had lost twice in 41 games in all competitions this season.
Fast forward 14 days and the Jurgen Klopp Reds gave up their galloping form, with a loss to Atletico Madrid, a 3-0 humiliation at Watford and now that blow in West London.
Liverpool still have a 22-point lead in the Premier League over Manchester City, second, with a leading first title in 30 years, no doubt a formality.
But there is no doubt either that the demanding Klopp will be furious with this tottering form.
And the German thinks that the failure to sign Minamino in January in the game was a critical mistake.
“Takumi had a very good game. We could have used it much more often, “said Klopp during his post-match press conference after the loss.
“If Neco (Williams) sees him once or twice, he was completely free at the edge [of the box], he drew the cross more or less. If he had seen it, it would have helped. “
Despite the dream of a hat-trick tripling before his eyes, Klopp admitted to being satisfied with the performance of his troops.
“We are disappointed as much as you can,” Klopp told James Savundra of talkSPORT.
“We have tried everything; I think everyone has seen that at least the effort was sensational. Everything was fine, everyone tried everything.
“Of course we are disappointed and it has nothing to do with Premier League or Champions League games.
“But we now have four days before playing Bournemouth at 12:30 pm, so we have to be ready, and we will be ready.”