Klopp guides Liverpool to a full recovery
LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp hailed his side’s fortitude as they bounced back from a couple of dodgy results to beat Bournemouth at Anfield and return to the top of the Premier League.
Gini Wijnaldum clambered off his sickbed and Footballer of the Year Mo Salah maintained his incredible scoring record as Liverpool eased their nerves after successive draws against Leicester and West Ham.
They now lead Manchester City by three points with 12 games left apiece. City play the first of theirs against Chelsea today.
‘That is the reaction we wanted to show,’ said Klopp. ‘We are very self-critical and it was clear we were not happy with the two previous performances.
‘We analysed it and wanted to perform against Bournemouth. That is what we did. It was outstanding and a very good sign for us.’
However, Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe feels Liverpool got the luck of prospective champions after being told by his coaching staff that Sadio Mane’s opening headed goal after 24 minutes should not have been allowed. ‘It was half-a-yard offside, a huge turning point,’ he said.
‘VAR will help in those situations and I think it will benefit everybody when it’s introduced in the Premier League next season.’
Wijnaldum declared himself fit having stayed away from the team hotel on Friday night with diarrhoea and added a classy second goal after 34 minutes. ‘I was only concerned when everyone went to hug him,’ quipped Klopp.
Salah then added a third — his 49th Premier League goal in 62 games.
Klopp said: ‘The mentality of these boys is the only reason we are where we are. People were critical of Milly’s [James Milner] performance against West Ham, which was a joke because he was also ill.
‘Mo’s goal record is really good but his performance was brilliant. Bournemouth found him undefendable.’