Liverpool more “tuned” to Klopp’s methods after PSG victory

Jurgen Klopp has hailed his Liverpool side for looking more “tuned” to his methods than ever before they put in a dominating performance against Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield last night.

The Reds stretched their unbeaten start to the season with a sixth victory on the bounce after goals from Daniel Sturridge, James Milner and substitute Roberto Firmino bagged all three points in Liverpool’s Champions League opener.

PSG had pulled two back against the run of play through Thomas Meunier and Kylian Mbappe, and looked for all the world to have somehow gained a point from a game in which Liverpool had been by far the better team. However, Firmino’s injury-time strike sent Thomas Tuchel’s men home empty-handed, rooted to the bottom of Group C.

And Klopp was full of praise for his team.

“We look now much more tuned than it maybe was in the past,” he said, as quoted in the Evening Standard.

“We played a midfield who played a lot of times last season together, that was the reason for that performance.

“It was clear that Hendo would come back and what a brilliant performance from him.

“Physically-wise, so good because obviously as we know that the players after the World Cup normally struggle a bit (but) he is ready now and that’s really important for us.

“We didn’t learn a lot which we didn’t know before, but it’s nice to see that we can do it. That’s it.”

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Roberto Firmino of Liverpool celebrates scoring the winner for Liverpool during the Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield on September 18, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Reuters)

 

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Daniel Sturridge’s superb headed goal came in his first Champions League start for Liverpool despite joining them in 2013, and his manager was understandably pleased for him.

“Great performance of Daniel,” said Klopp.

“The three in midfield did an outstanding job, but they only can do it when the two wingers in how we play and the number nine are helping in all these situations to keep the formation compact.

“It was fantastic. I said to Daniel before the game he is the best shape since I’ve known him, physically, and now he had to use it – and that’s what he did.”

PSG boss Tuchel produced a short, sharp response when asked about the result.

“This is Anfield, this is what they do,” he said.

“There wasn’t much space for Neymar. What Liverpool do very well is to close the space down in that number 10 area so our plan was to use the space down the wings and get our full-backs pushing on.

“We tried to play well. It’s not time for tactical analysis, it’s time to credit the mental strength we showed on the ball tonight.

“If you play at Anfield, for me it’s not a tactical game. It’s to play with confidence, to trust the players

“We expect a lot from our front three, and today was tough for them. We have to improve all over the field. For me, we need to improve our intensity in games like this. There’s time to improve.”

Liverpool’s next fixture sees them take on Southampton at Anfield on Saturday.

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Source: anfieldhq.com