SAINT NOBODY CAN STOP US NOW Klopp: I’ve never seen such consistency... we were sensational
WHEN even Jurgen Klopp is lost for words, something special is afoot.
Yes, the Reds’ boss admitted even he was struggling for superlatives after a ruthless second-half Anfield super-show put paid to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s impertinent upstarts. The Saints thrust their best foot forward yesterday and yet, like so many before them, returned home nursing a hammering. This was a testament to a red machine that keeps churning out result after result. This was the Merseysiders’ 20th league victory at home on the spin. The club has equalled Nottingham Forest’s unbeaten 42-game run over two seasons and their 22-point lead at the top is the largest margin in Premier League history.
Asked how he felt after yet another triumph, he said: “I’ve never seen this consistency, I would ask the same questions as you are.
“But I can only say what I feel. I don’t feel stronger after each win.
“We have won – great – there’s a small celebration, then relief, then we settle and go again. I have no clue how I should feel. We have a week off and we go again.”
Statistics show the Saints enjoyed more shots but paid for their lack of a cutting edge.
The game turned on a decision two minutes into the second half. Danny Ings moved between Trent Alexander-arnold and Fabinho – the midfielder put out a leg and appeared to make contact. VAR decided not to overturn referee Kevin Friend’s decision and failed to award a penalty. Seconds later, a turbo-charged run from Andy Robertson, a delightful backheel from the Scot and more intelligent play from Roberto Firmino allowed Alex Oxlade-chamberlain to fire in a drive from the edge of the area that left Alex Mccarthy flat-footed. After that, yet more rapier-like thrusts ended with Jordan Henderson scoring on the hour, Mo Salah was sent clear following a two-pass move that spanned the length of the pitch to finish and the little Egyptian magician made the most of tiring legs to scramble a fourth. It was hard on Southampton. But
Liverpool are setting new levels of excellence.
Klopp said: “They aren’t here for a party, they are here to beat us. We have to throw everything we can on the pitch and that’s why we are where we are.
“We don’t take that for granted, not for a second. The attitude and the mentality made it possible that we could win this game. It wasn’t a banana skin – Southampton are too good for that.
“Today it looked like it might not happen but the boys put in a sensational session. That’s what makes them so special.”
The Saints pitched up on the back of a four-game winning streak away from home. They were full of confidence, coming with a gameplan. It almost worked. That would be stretching a point, but they went down with a fight.
Boss Hasenhuttl (left) said: “I don’t want to talk about referees’ decisions because my team played too well. But we had a penalty decision. It was a crucial moment in the game.
“Overall, it was fantastic to watch from my team. I wanted them to play like they did. If you concede four goals, it’s too high, but who cares? We showed up, absolutely, and I’m proud of my team.
“But even if you are one-up here at half-time it would be a long way to go. It shows how strong they are. They played on Wednesday evening and they are so focused. That’s what makes them unbeatable at the moment.”
The Reds are now seven victories away from landing the first title in 30 years. Standing in their way are Norwich, Bournemouth, West Ham, Watford, Everton and Crystal Palace. With the potential carrot, assuming Manchester City don’t lose, of lifting the trophy at the Etihad, early in
April. Klopp added: “We are not perfect. Not even being close to being perfect. We don’t care about that.
“We just try to use our skills in the best possible way. The boys do that pretty good and that’s why we have these numbers.”