Liverpool beat Arsenal 3-1 at Anfield on Monday night and Jürgen Klopp was delighted with his side’s overall performance.
The Gunners took a first-half lead through Alexandre Lacazette after an uncharacteristic defensive error from Andy Robertson at the back.
Liverpool responded immediately, however. Sadio Mané provided the finish after some brilliant work from Mohamed Salah, cutting in from the right-hand side. Robertson then atoned for his earlier mistake by giving The Reds the lead before half time. Substitute Diogo Jota scored Liverpool’s third goal in the 88th minute on his Anfield debut.
Speaking at this post-match press conference, Klopp couldn’t hide his delight with his side’s performance and the perfect start they have made to the Premier League season.
“It was a really good game, I loved pretty much each second. I didn’t like the goal we conceded but the reaction afterwards immediately, I liked a lot. Against a top team in form playing like we did tonight is something, to be honest. It doesn’t help us for Thursday or help us for Sunday, but for tonight it was quite good, I have to say. I really liked it: we were dominant, we played football, we were difficult to defend, the counter-press was top, attitude was great and played some really good stuff. Arsenal had not too many, but some, chances because they have real quality. I think most of the moments they had were offside, so good defending, but Ali made a save anyway. It was all good, a really good performance.”
Asked for his thoughts on Jota’s Premier League debut for Liverpool, Klopp said:
“Diogo came on, played naturally his football, tried to defend the way we defend. He is on 20 per cent of information on what we do exactly; we had meetings to talk about it and that will all take time. Today he had 60 or 70 minutes to watch how Sadio is doing and then he came on the pitch and did incredibly well. He scored a super goal, a nice first game at Anfield. He will never forget it, I will never forget it. A cool start.”
Liverpool and Arsenal meet again on Thursday night in the Carabao Cup at Anfield. Last season, the side’s played out a 5-5 classic in the same competition before The Reds won on penalties.
This Sunday, Liverpool travel to play in-form Aston Villa and then it will be time for the international break.
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