Julian Nagelsmann says RB Leipzig were “certainly not two goals worse” than Liverpool as they lost 2-0 to Jurgen Klopp’s side on Tuesday night.
The Reds won the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against the Bundesliga outfit thanks to goals from Mo Salah and Sadio Mane in Budapest.
The result means Leipzig face an uphill task when the sides meet again at Anfield on March 10 but Nagelsmann thought his side matched Liverpool.
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Nagelsmann told reporters: “When you win, you’re always right, but we earned a lot of respect in the 90 minutes. We were definitely not worse and certainly not two goals worse.
“The big difference was they scored with their two chances, we had three big chances and weren’t clinical enough. For the two big mistakes we committed we were punished, and at such a high level that’s normal.”
The first leg was held at the Puskas Arena due to German authorities denying entry to arrivals from countries affected by new coronavirus variants, and Nagelsmann would be receptive to a return to the Hungarian capital if the Bundesliga side are unable to travel to England.
“We will see when and where the second leg will take place, it’s not in my hands, it’s not my decision,” Nagelsmann said.
“Maybe it’s again here, the stadium’s great, the pitch is fantastic so it could be an idea if it can’t take place in Liverpool.
“We conceded two away goals here so it won’t be easy. We have to score in the second game but I think we earned respect here because we did well.
“I think Liverpool respected us before the game but it’s now perhaps a bit bigger and at the end we have to be confident for the second game.
“We have no other solution than being confident and try to do our best in the second game and try to win.”
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