Liverpool "lost the plot" in their stunning 7-2 Premier League defeat to Aston Villa, according to manager Jurgen Klopp.

Premier League champions Liverpool were left shocked as a rampant Villa tore through them on Sunday, with Ollie Watkins scoring a first-half hat-trick.

It is the first time since 1963 that the Reds have conceded seven goals in a game, and the last time the reigning top-flight English champions let in as many goals was back in 1953.

Klopp struggled to fully explain Liverpool's display at Villa Park, but conceded his team failed to find any way of regaining their composure.

"Explain I'm not sure, but I can tell you what I saw. For different reasons, Aston Villa did really well, forced all the mistakes that we made," Klopp told Sky Sports.

"The game had a specific direction – the first goal had an impact but it shouldn't. We conceded goals like that in the past, but the reaction wasn't good, and we lost the plot.

7 - Liverpool are the first reigning English top-flight champions to ship seven goals in a league match since Arsenal against Sunderland in September 1953. Embarrassed. #AVLLIV pic.twitter.com/CAnLAPG7b5
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 4, 2020

"It was unexpected but it happened tonight. For me it wasn't a specific moment, we put all our rubbish things and mistakes in one game and hopefully we can start again.

"Tonight wasn't sloppy, it was just bad, I have to admit that but I can't change it. I would love to have a training session tomorrow and Tuesday and to talk about it but the boys go back off to international duty. Hopefully they come back healthy and we use the two days to prepare for Everton."

Liverpool are next in action on October 17, going up against rivals Everton – who have won all four league matches this season – in the Merseyside derby.

Villa, meanwhile, are the only side other than the Toffees to have enjoyed a 100 per cent start to the league campaign, and Dean Smith revelled in Klopp's reaction to his team's display.

"It was just sheer hard work and effort. The work ethic, when Jurgen Klopp says wow to you, you know you've done something right," Smith told Sky Sports.

"The lads were superb, they executed the game plan perfectly. We were at our best today. The biggest regret is that there were no supporters here with us – I hope they are enjoying it from their homes. It was a tremendous achievement for the players, they worked really hard."