[스포티비뉴스=김건일 기자] Brighton’s up-and-coming Japanese national winger Kaoru Mitoma has been recognized by manager Jurgen Klopp.
Klopp said in an interview with BBC Radio after the match against Brighton in the 4th round of the 2022-23 England FA Cup held at the Brighton American Express Stadium on the 30th (Korean time), “It was difficult because of Mitoma.”
“We came here a few weeks ago after playing a game that was unfamiliar to us,” Klopp said.
He went on to say, “Lobo (Andy Robertson) on the left was good because he had support, but Trent (Alexander Arnold) on the other side didn’t help.” “I looked back.
On this day, Mitoma, who started as a left winger for Brighton, made several bold dribble breakthroughs against Arnold, who played Liverpool right defender, threatening Liverpool’s defensive camp.
Then, after catching the ball in the penalty box in the extra time of the second half when the match was 1-1, he beat Joe Gomes and calmly shook Liverpool’s net with a right-footed shot, becoming the protagonist of the 2-1 comeback winning goal.
Coach Klopp said at the beginning of the interview that ‘a few weeks ago we played a strange game’, which was an away match against Brighton held at the same place on the 15th.
Liverpool collapsed 0-3 to Brighton that day, but this time too, it was beaten by Mitoma. At the time, Mitoma did not have an offensive point, but he overran the Liverpool defense with his unique bold dribbling, wide field of vision and sensuous passing. The Liverpool Echo praised Mitoma as “tore Liverpool to shreds”, and Alan Shearer named Mitoma one of the Premier League’s Official Weekly Best XI after the match.
Klopp, who finished his FA Cup journey in the round of 32 without being able to surpass Brighton, said, “I don’t feel good,” but “over time, I saw the positive side and wanted the next round. Congratulations Brighton,” he concluded the interview.