Reds rout lauded as an ‘impressive result’
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp called the demolition of Arsenal “an impressive result” as his side returned to winning ways.
Last time out, before the international break, the Reds lost their 26-game unbeaten run with defeat at West Ham, but bounced back in some style by clinically taking apart the Gunners 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 substitute Takumi Minamino – with his first touch – all got in on the act.
“We had to show a reaction, that was clear, but the only problem was that we weren’t together,” said Klopp.
“We scored to make it 1-0 and the first half was absolutely fine. But it was still not right and we had to change and we changed and controlled the 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. 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 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 touched the
other in a foul, the bench of Arsenal is going for it and I just asked, ‘What do you want from that?’,” he added.
“There is no contact and it looks like everyone wants a yellow. I’m sick of the situation when everyone goes for Sadio.”
On whether he felt that incident energised the crowd Klopp said: “It was not the plan, but if it helped, it was OK – but it won’t happen all the time.”
Gunners boss Arteta, remembered here for his time as an Everton player, accepted
his improving side were not in the same class as Liverpool.
However, he was annoyed with the mistakes which the home side punished so clinically, but did not feel his players cracked under the heat.
“In the second half they got some momentum and we threw it away in the first 15 to 20 minutes,” he said.
“They were better than us for 96 minutes and that’s the level. They’ve been together for six years and today you could see the difference.”