Jürgen Klopp hailed his Liverpool side after they produced their performance of the season to hand Manchester City their first loss of the campaign.
It was a game filled with drama and emotion as the German manager was handed a red card as well as Manchester City’s disallowed goal which had Pep Guardiola fuming.
In the end, a wonderful Mohamed Salah goal in the 76th minute that was assisted by Alisson proved to be the difference in another end-to-end clash between the teams.
The winner came after Phil Foden had seen a goal disallowed following a VAR review and before Klopp was sent off amid a raucous Anfield atmosphere on Sunday afternoon.
Klopp delighted with perfect Liverpool performance
Speaking after the game, the Reds’ boss only had positive stuff to say about his side. He said: “Good and very good. So, I think on a normal day you should not even try against City, play your normal against them and hope that you get something from it [is not enough].”
“You have to play to your limits and further, that’s what we did. We defended in an extremely well organised but very passionate way, closed the right gaps, challenged in the right areas and – because this still happens, and that’s the biggest challenge against City – they still get through.”
“They still get to the touchline, they still have an incredible amount of players in the box and how we defended the box, and especially the six-yard box, was absolutely exceptional because I think we all know, in these games you all know the City goals when they arrive there and they have the square pass and one is waiting free in front of the goal. We did it really well. So it was a top performance from all the boys and that’s why we could win it.”
Speaking on his own red card, he added: “Yeah, it’s about emotion, of course. So, of course, red card, my fault. I went over the top in the moment, I don’t think I was disrespectful to anybody but when you look at the pictures back – I know myself for 55 years that the way I look in these moments is already worth a red card. I know that, who cares what I say? I lost it in that moment and that is not OK, but I think a little bit as an excuse I would like to mention, how can you not whistle that foul? How on earth is it possible? And I wish I could get an explanation.”
Liverpool back on track?
After a thumping 7-1 win over Rangers in the Champions League last week, Liverpool have now followed it up with a big win over Manchester City that sees them move up to eighth place and only three points off fifth-placed Manchester United, despite having a game in hand.
They will now be hoping to record their third win on the bounce when they welcome West Ham to Anfield for another Premier League clash on Wednesday.
