Klopp On Tough Win: They Threw Everything At Us

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The Liverpool boss commended his side for finding a way as the Reds keep their record winning streak going.

Of the seven wins Liverpool have secured in their first seven matches of this Premier League season, today’s 1-0 victory over newly-promoted Sheffield United was the toughest.

As one of the few English clubs the Reds do not have a historical winning record against, Jürgen Klopp’s side needed a howler of a defensive error from the Blades to overcome a day full of uncharacteristically wasteful finishing to escape Bramall Lane with a win.

The Liverpool manager expressed relief at his side passing the test 2019 LMA Manager of the Year Bruce Wilder’s side put to keep their 100% start to the league season intact:

“I was frustrated, and at half time we spoke about it,” the 52-year-old told BT Sport after the match. “We started well, but you have to do the same things again and again. It’s about body language, it starts with the center halves, it’s the little things.

“They threw everything at us, they worked incredibly hard, they were a real threat. I am fine with the game, not overly happy but it happens. We were concentrated at set pieces for 95 minutes the boys were spot on. We didn’t play our best football but there we are.”

After surviving a number of number of body blows from their hosts in the first three quarters of the match, the Reds ultimately found the breakthrough in the 70^th minute, as Gini Wijnaldum’s scuffed volley somehow went through keeper Dean Henderson’s hands and trickled over the line to make it 1-0.

The relief was visible on Liverpool faces as was the horror on that of their hosts due to the result to that point being completely up in the air in a manner the Reds have not been accustomed to over the course of their now 16-game winning streak.

“For us it was important to win, we had unbelievably big chances,” Klopp continued. “In the first half we had two big chances and in the second one which we scored from. These games, they are not all beauties and you have to work hard for the results.

“You have to respect the opponent, we had good moments and it was one of these games you have to win but not think too much about it. One team deserved to win, which was us, but all respect to Sheffield United, they were tough.

Liverpool have now temporarily opened up an eight point lead at the top of the table with seven games played pending second place Manchester City’s evening match against Everton.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com