Jurgen Klopp on Fulham victory and offside decision

Manager Jurgen Klopp was satisfied with the performance of his Liverpool team in yesterday’s 2-0 win over Fulham at Anfield.

Fulham showed a degree of grit and determination to make life difficult for the Reds, particularly in the first half, fashioning a number of chances for themselves and even finding the net once (in what was ultimately a disallowed goal).

However, Liverpool emerged victorious after goals from Mohamed Salah and Xherdan Shaqiri secured all three points and maintained their unbeaten Premier League run.

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 11: Xherdan Shaqiri of Liverpool scores during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham at Anfield on November 11, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Getty Images)

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And Klopp spoke to Liverpool FC.com in the wake of his side’s win.

“In a few moments it was tougher, in a few moments it was not tough,” said Klopp, describing the nature of the game. “That’s how it is. When we saw the line-up we were obviously a bit surprised – how could we prepare for that line-up? It was the first time in the season I think that they played like this, with four or five centre-halves. It was clear then what would be their approach.

“So far, Fulham have always had a football-playing idea and today you saw it – after winning the second ball they were on their toes, they played football but with a lot of long build-up, a lot of long situations and Mitrovic did outstandingly well in these situations.

“So that was a bit tricky but apart from that I thought the boys did really well from the beginning. We created, we passed, we accelerated in the right moments. We had big chances early with Sadio, Shaq, Mo in the box where they blocked it in the last second, where the goalie could make a save.

“I don’t know how exactly many chances there were today, it’s not too important. We scored twice, maybe it’s a bit strange that one was after a quick restart and one after a set-piece, the second ball phase, but that’s very important as well that you have these situations and you can use it. So I’m completely happy.

“Apart from scoring more goals it was a really good performance. Fulham always have the quality to cause problems, it was this time really good for our analysis that we had the Man City games [against them] because even though results were pretty clear, especially in the league game I think, City had to work really hard in these games.

“You only usually see the result but in this case we watched those games for analysis. So no problem with that. We had to work hard, we won it, all good.”

Aleksandar Mitrovic’s first-half goal was disallowed (wrongly, it seems), and was followed which just 14 seconds later by Salah’s opener. When asked about it, Klopp responded:

“What can I say about that? I saw it once, meanwhile, so I am not sure,” he said. “Was it offside or not? We didn’t get a goal against us. I don’t want to compare it but against Arsenal we scored a clearer goal which was not offside and didn’t get it. At the end you cannot change it.

“The most important thing is then reacting that quick in a situation like that – that was brilliant, Ali, Trent, Mo and done. That was a fantastic situation. On the other hand side, if you watch the situation back it was a very good routine of Fulham, I have to say.

“It’s difficult to see for the ref but it’s a clear foul on Robbo because Robbo is our second free man, our zonal guy to go there to avoid the cross, and he couldn’t because I’m not sure which player of Fulham capped him.

“It was a good routine and in the end we were a bit lucky. By the way, maybe because of Robbo he is not 100 per cent offside, with his heel or whatever, and before that somebody holds him. It is like it is. We cannot change it, Fulham cannot change it. The reaction was brilliant.”

The full interview can be read on the official Liverpool website.

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Source: anfieldhq.com