Klopp delighted with 'different' Liverpool

Liverpool boss praised his side's fight in their mid-week victory over Ajax Amsterdam on Tuesday night as they returned to winning ways in the UEFA Champions League.

Goals from Mohamed Salah and Joel Matip on either side of Mohammed Kudus' rocket strike saw the Reds register a 2-1 win at Anfield in their second Group A encounter.

Following their 4-1 humbling away to Napoli last week, Klopp felt it was a vastly improved showing that saw his charges apply themselves better in the game.

"I think if we put the two games, Napoli and tonight, next to each other, you don't recognise properly that it's the same sport. It was all different. The start was different. The middle was different. The finish was different," said Klopp.

"The way we played, the way we defend, everything was different - much higher intensity, much more aggression, braver, more ready, everything was better. The story of the game is typical, not for our season so far because normally we are 1-0 down, more for the situation we are in.

"We did a lot of good stuff and played a really good game, we had something like 25 shots, which is good against a strong side full of confidence, absolutely convinced about the way they play, and we caused them a lot of problems.

"And then, 1-0 up, you concede - with the first chance of the opponent - the equaliser. The reaction was OK - not perfect but OK - and at half-time, we told the boys that after the goal our pressing was not as convincing as before.

"I think nobody was surprised [the winning goal] was a set-piece because our set-pieces were really good tonight and I have no idea why we didn't score earlier from them because pretty much each set-piece was a threat.

"The face of Joel [Matip] showed exactly how we all felt in this moment. It's the first step, nothing else, not more."

The Reds will not be in action this weekend after their trip to Chelsea was postponed due to the Royal Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday, which requires added police presence and therefore sufficient security is not available for the stadium in London.

By Web Admin