Klopp delight at flying start

JURGEN Klopp reflected on his best start to a season as a manager after Mo Salah’s firsthalf goal sealed Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Huddersfield.

Salah slotted home his fourth goal of the season and first in five games in the 24th minute as Klopp’s side bounced back to winning ways to stay level on points with Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Klopp accepted it had not been pretty. Huddersfield went toe-to-toe with his title challengers for long periods and hit the woodwork in the first period, but the Reds boss was delighted his side extended their unbeaten run to nine matches.

“The basis we have created so far is brilliant – 23 points,” Klopp said. “I don’t think I [have] had that before after nine games. And still space for improvement – good as well. So let’s get home and work on improving.”

Elsewhere, Pep Guardiola called for City to be even more clinical after thrashing Burnley 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium.

The Premier League champions eased to victory with goals from Sergio Aguero, Bernardo Silva, Fernandinho, Riyad Mahrez and Leroy Sane but, with only one coming in the first half, Guardiola felt there was room for improvement.

The City boss said: “We had 24 shots – 10 on target. So, we are the best side in Europe in shots but we have to increase our ‘on target’.

“In the first half it was just 1-0 and we created enough chances to score more goals. In the second half we made a good performance.

“All the players make a good performance, especially John [Stones], playing in a position that is not natural for him.”