Klopp hails ‘impressive result’ as rampant Liverpool sink Arsenal
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp called the 4-0 demolition of Arsenal “an impressive result” as his side returned to winning ways.
Last time out before the internationalbreaktheRedslost their 26-game unbeaten run with defeat at West Ham but bounced back in some style by clinicallytakingaparttheGunners as their 10-match streak without defeat ended.
Sadio Mane opened the scoring late in the first half before the hosts ran away with it after the break as Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah and sub Takumi Minamino all got on the scoresheet at Anfield.
“Wehadtoshowareaction, that was clear, but the only problem was that we weren’t together for most of the time,” said Klopp.
“We scored to make it 1-0 and the first half was absolutely fine. But it was still not rightandwehadtochangeand wechangedandcontrolledthe game in the second half.
“It was a mix of a very mature performance, a very exciting performance with exciting moments and goals, great counter-press and finishing situations off. It was an impressive result.”
The turning point appeared to be the off-field incident between Klopp and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, who argued about Mane’s challenge on Ben White before being separated by their respective coaching teams.
Klopp said he was “sick” of the Senegal international being unfairly targeted by opponents. “It was a completely clean situation: two players jumped in the air, no-one touchedtheotherinafoul,the benchofArsenalisgoingforit and I just asked ‘What do you want from that?’,” he added.
“There is no contact really and it looks like everyone wants a yellow card. I’m sick of the situation when everyone goes for Sadio. You might remember against Real Madrid
(last season) he was completely taken out of the game against Real Madrid without doing anything.
“Against Atletico (earlier this month) we had to take himoffanditisjustnotright.”
On whether he felt that incident energised the crowd Klopp said: “It was not the plan but if helped it was OK – but it won’t happen all the time. It doesn’t happen very often any more that I have arguments on the sideline.
“It was not the most controlled game but not the most exciting so maybe the crowd needed some help and it pushed the team again.”