Klopp keen to keep Anfield optimism in perspective

Liverpool boss braced for tougher tests after Hammers demolition

LIVERPOOL — Jurgen Klopp warned much tougher challenges lie ahead in Liverpool’s quest to end a near three-decade wait to win the Premier League after brushing aside West Ham 4-0 at a jubilant Anfield on Sunday.

Mo Salah opened his account for the season, Sadio Mane scored twice and Daniel Sturridge added a late fourth goal in an impressive display by Klopp’s men as $83 million goalkeeper Alisson posted the shutout in his EPL debut.

Liverpool hasn’t been crowned champion of England since 1990 and finished 25 points behind Manchester City last season.

But after reaching the Champions League final in May and spending more than anyone else in the Premier League over the offseason, there is palpable belief that long wait will end in May.

“We know about our expectations and noticed the very positive atmosphere around us in the whole preseason,” said Klopp.

“It’s good that people are positive, but the season again will be unbelievably hard.”

Klopp has tried to keep a lid on expectations given the gap to City last season despite spending a reported $217 million.

“We cannot be anything different than the challenger because we have not won anything since I’ve been in (charge), a long time. We have to invest more, fight more,” Klopp added.

“West Ham will play a good season but they are not the (Manchester) Uniteds or (Manchester) Citys. We have to be ready week in, week out for the different challenges.”

Super Salah

There was little tinkering for Klopp to do up front after Salah, Mane and Roberto Firmino combined for 91 goals last season, and they again provided the firepower to outclass a sorry West Ham despite the Hammers’ $125 million outlay on nine new players.

Salah and Mane’s pain at the international level was Liverpool’s gain as early exits at the World Cup with Egypt and Senegal meant they could join the club’s preseason tour of the United States, unlike a host of Premier League stars who returned to training just last week after their exertions in Russia.

A revelation in his first season at Anfield with 44 goals in all competitions, Salah is now a marked man.

Yet, he was given the simplest of tasks to tap the opener into an empty net in the 19th minute from Andy Robertson’s pinpoint cross after he was freed down the left by the impressive Naby Keita.

Lukasz Fabianski was by far the busier goalkeeper, with Alisson impressing more with his feet to launch a series of Liverpool attacks.

The host doubled its lead to when another teasing Robertson cross was pulled across goal by James Milner and Mane side-footed home.

Mane produced a fine finish for his second eight minutes after the break but had the linesman to thank just as much for the assist as he somehow wasn’t flagged for being offside.

Former Manchester City and Real Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini is used to competing at the top of the standings.

Yet, despite the vast investment in the Hammers, on this evidence Pellegrini will do well to better than their 13thplace finish last season as the visitor was happy to limit the damage after the break.

“Every time that you bring so many players it is difficult. We are just starting the season, but we need to analyze this game,” said Pellegrini, who left Hebei China Fortune for West Ham in May.

“We are clear and sure that we need to improve.”

Sturridge inflicted the final blow two minutes from time with his first touch after replacing Salah.