Jürgen Klopp was pleased to see his Liverpool side start the calendar year on a positive note after their thrilling 4-2 victory over Newcastle United at Anfield to welcome the New Year.
Securing their position at the summit of the Premier League, the Reds commenced 2024 with a triumphant performance, featuring a brace from Mohamed Salah and goals from Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo in the second half.
Klopp expressed his delight with his team’s performance, evaluating the electrifying atmosphere at Anfield under the lights.
Klopp satisfied with Liverpool’s dominant performance against Newcastle
Speaking about Salah who initially missed a penalty but went on to have a good game, Klopp said: “Yeah, nobody should be now really surprised that Mo can change a game, can improve in a game and all these kinds of things, because he did it just hundreds of times. But it’s just a really good example; the more goals you have, the more you are used to missing chances, even when it’s a penalty. And the more you just understand what you have to do: keep going and if necessary – which is very often the case – keep improving, using situations better. And that’s what Mo did.”
“Because I got asked that question now plenty of times and when we talk about Mo and again two goals, and Darwin [Nunez] didn’t score – but, to be honest, the situation that brought the game in the right direction was the first goal of Mo, when Darwin squares that ball. I would say everybody in the stadium would have tried to hammer that ball through the goalie just to make it happen. He squares that ball – incredible.”
He added: “Super game, from start to finish, with 10 minutes in the first half, I would say, after 35 minutes – disallowed goal, missed a pen, super-high intensity, level dropped slightly. Got into the second half and started pretty much there where we finished after 35 minutes.”
“Scored the first, relief too big, 1-1. Scored a second, scored the third, relief too big, 3-2. And I said now a couple of times, I like it really – Pep [Lijnders] came to me and said, ‘We need to bring Macca [Alexis Mac Allister].” I think it was before the 3-2, I’m not sure when Macca came. “We need his passes.” Then Macca came and passed the ball to Diogo [Jota].”
Liverpool will now be aiming to build on their positive form when they take on Arsenal in the FA Cup on Sunday.
