Brora roar to top spot
Critics had questioned the Reds’ guts for a fight after back- to- back draws with Leicester and West Ham.
But the gaffer reckons they have shown their hunger again by blowing away stuffy Bournemouth.
Sadio Mane, Georginio Wijnaldum and Mohamed Salah got the goals that put the Mersey men back on top of the Premier League.
Klopp said: “We weren’t happy with the performances from the previous two games and struggled a bit with set-pieces. There were a lot of things we had to improve.
“We wanted to show a reaction. It’s our job not only to come through but to perform and convince.
“Our expectations are high and we won in an impressive manner – we had some outstanding performers.”
This was a return to the Liverpool of earlier in the season – packed with energy, pressing relent le s s l y, counter- attacking quickly and deadly in front of goal.
The Cherries threatened once – after 76 seconds when Scotland star Ryan Fraser tested Kop keeper Alisson Becker.
From then on it was all Liverpool with Salah and Mane lively.
They went ahead in 24 minutes when James Milner set up Mane to head home.
Wijnaldum doubled the lead 10 minutes later with a sublime lob over ex- Celtic goalie Artur Boruc.
Then just after the restart Naby Keita and Rob e r t o Fi rmi no combined in a move Klopp hailed “world class” t o ha nd Salah his 20th goal of the season.
Awe s t r uck Kop captain Milner gushed: “Some of our play was mesmerising. We could have scored more.”
Victory moves the Reds on to 65 points although Manchester City can regain the lead on goal difference today if they beat Chelsea.
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe said: “Liverpool were very good but we didn’t deal with their main threats.
“The first goal was off-side but we never recovered. We looked fine until that first goal went in.”
Sunday Mail 61
Brora Rangers climbed to the top for the f irst time this season with a 5-1 thumping of Strathspey Thistle – just seven days before a crunch title showdown with Cove Rangers.
The vital three points took them to the summit on goal difference but Cove now have two games in hand.
Neil Macdonald broke the deadlock with Mark Nicolson adding the second. Scott Davidson added a double with a strike either side of Zander Sutherland’s effort.
A 58th-minute reply from James McShane was only the 10th goal Brora had conceded in the league this season.
Player-boss Steven Mackay said: “I’m a bit disappointed that they scored because we’ve had a proud clean sheet record, seven in a row, but it was job done and three points.”
Formartine crashed to a 2-1 loss to Fraserburgh with Paul Campbell opening from the spot. Archie MacPhee levelled for United but Scott Barbour bagged the points.
Inverurie Locos saw off Nairn 3- 0 with Chris Angus, Neil Gauld and Kyle Gordon on target. Gary Jardine hailed his Civil Service Strollers as they moved into the top four with a 5-0 rout of Edinburgh University.
Strikes from Kerr Allan, David Churchi l l , Ross Guthrie, Andrew Mair and Matthew Mackie’s own goal sealed the points. Jardine said: “To be where we are in the league at this time of year is testament to the hard work of everyone at the club.”
Leaders East Kilbride edged out Vale of Leithen 1- 0 thanks to Craig Malcolm’s header.