Klopp: Belief not luck driving streak ...but Rodgers credits ‘soft penalty’

BRENDAN RODGERS has got previous when it comes to Liverpool players falling over at Anfield.

Five-and-a-half years ago, Steven Gerrard’s infamous slip cost Rodgers the chance to bring an end to Merseyside’s excruciating title wait.

So it was ironic that the Ulsterman’s first return to his ex-club was decided by another dramatic loss of footing by a man in Scouse red.

Whether the injury-time challenge by Leicester City substitute Marc Albrighton was really enough to send Sadio Mane sprawling like a rag doll being thrown into the gutter is debatable.

“It was a penalty, obviously,” said Jurgen Klopp, while Rodgers called it “soft”.

But James Milner kept his cool to send Kasper Schmeichel the wrong way and put Liverpool eight points clear at the top of the table.

It’s a perfect start to the season for the Reds – eight Premier League wins from eight – and 17 successive victories stretching to last season.

If they beat Manchester United after the international break they will equal the top-flight record set by Manchester City two years ago.

Klopp said: “We are not fussed about the winning streak. We looked like a team that had never won a game before. So far, so good, but there are 30 games still to come.

“Winning eight games in a row in this league isn’t easy.

“But the boys have a bit of belief because of the run we are on, and the effort they put into the game was exceptional. I didn’t see where we needed any luck to win the game.

“It was definitely a penalty and I didn’t see many more chances for Leicester apart from the goal.”

Last week, Liverpool got a break to maintain their winning streak at the expense of Sheffield United.

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