Klopp: I just couldn’t be more proud of my team
factor next Tuesday. But there is no question that the final 20 minutes, when Messi scored his goals and Mohamed Salah hit the post from seven yards, could prove to be decisive.
Trying to be positive, Klopp added: ‘ This kind of football, we played between the lines, we were in their box and we caused them a lot of problems. If you lose away it can happen.
‘The problem is we didn’t score. My boys gave a lot of respect for how they played and how they developed.
‘There was so much fun in that game but in the end we lost it. I have been in this business long enough that we have to accept it. I said that I am proud of them. We will have a proper sleep, get up in the morning and play on.
‘Whatever happens, I could not be more proud of them. It is just how they always strike back. It is still 3-0 and that will not change. Let’s fly home and play Newcastle.’
Messi was magical and left Liverpool’s defenders trailing in his wake at times.
Klopp said: ‘ He is unstoppable — what a strike! He is a worldclass player. The second goal was not the nicest. It shows his skills, when the ball hits the crossbar and he is there.’
Liverpool did have opportunities, particularly in the second half when James Milner twice went close and Salah struck the woodwork.
They were, however, susceptible to counter-attacks and a save from Alisson prevented the hosts from scoring a fourth goal in the final seconds.
‘It’s how it is,’ said Klopp. ‘It’s easier to talk about creating the moment and causing them problems, which was outstanding. For one time, bad defending and going one goal down is already hard but not a big problem.
‘We told the boys at half-time what we could do and then going out for the game, I don’t know if we can play it much better.
‘Of course, the situation then changes after Messi scores a very easy goal and it’s a wonder strike for the third.
‘There’s no party in the dressing room and I’ve told them my view. We learn from it.
‘You can see when they stopped us but it’s part of the game and we reacted well and then how we defended the counter-attacks.
‘It was a big, hard day — I love this. Whatever I say can’t change the result.’
Barcelona were knocked out of the Champions League last season after Roma overturned a 4-1 firstleg deficit at the quarter-final stage and Messi is taking nothing for granted, given Anfield’s history on these occasions.
The Argentine said: ‘We were so close to the fourth goal at the end.
‘The 3-0 is a very good result but it’s not definite because we are going to a great stadium where the crowd will really get behind their team.
‘At the start we got drawn into their sort of very physical game and we are not used to it and that’s why we found it difficult at times early on.
‘It’s important that we did not concede. An away goal gives you so much. It was a spectacular free-kick. I was so happy to see it go in.’
Former Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho was barracked by the home crowd after a limp performance and Messi said: ‘It’s ugly that they whistle a team-mate like this.
‘ We are all in this together. We have to be united to the end because we are close to our objective now.’