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Jurgen Klopp verdict on 3-1 win over Newcastle “If there is an average day, you still have to win”

5 years ago
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Jurgen Klopp warned against complacency before Saturday’s game.

However, Liverpool came out really flat and Newcastle took advantage, having numbers forward on the break and Jetro Willems coming inside to hit an unstoppable right foot strike beyond Adrian.

The home side eventually got up to speed and two Sadio Mane goals put them in charge at the break, poor Newcastle defending/goalkeeping assisting the comeback.

However, seemingly thinking they now had the game sewn up, Liverpool were once again flat and complacent after the break.

Seven minutes into the second-half and a glorious chance for the visitors. Atsu’s deep cross finding Emil Krafth totally unmarked but he blazed over  the top.

Who knows what might have been if that one had gone in…

As Jurgen Klopp said afterwards though: ‘If there is an average day, you still have to win.’

In the end they could have racked up a fair few goals as Newcastle offered little after that Krafth chance. Dubravka keeping the score down in the second period.

The third and final goal for Liverpool saw Firmino and Salah link up brilliantly, with the Egyptian giving the Newcastle keeper no chance.

Jurgen Klopp claimed it was a clear penalty for Matip as he and Lascelles challenged at a corner but the Liverpool boss saying when you still win it isn’t a big deal. Maybe also a little mindful as well of the cheap penalties in the past, particularly with Salah’s outrageous diving.

Both teams move on now, Liverpool top of the league and Champions League football against Napoli this coming midweek, whilst Newcastle appear to have a relegation six pointer next Saturday against Brighton.

Jurgen Klopp:

“If there is an average day, you still have to win.

“We have to learn from the game and that’s how it is.

“I started enjoying the game after 25 minutes, when we arrived finally in the game. 

“Newcastle did what they did and they do that really well – always a threat for counter-attacks.

“It’s difficult to press them because they play the ball that early, constantly in a second ball formation but then they have the speed to go in behind.

“Plus Joelinton is really physically strong, fighting for these balls.

“That’s how they scored the goal, we played them onside unfortunately. In all the other situations they were clear offside but that was the moment.

“We then needed another 15 minutes to set the rhythm because you have to play much quicker than we did in the first part of the game.

“When we started doing that, immediately we had our moments.

“We had chances and scored two wonderful goals.

“Second half we scored only one goal but we played really good football and I liked it a lot.

“There were a few moments I enjoyed, not a lot but enough to be the deserved winner today.

“When Bobby (Firmino) came on in his natural position, Sadio (Mane) really flexible in that space, Mo (Salah) really strong today in one on one situations against physical strong players. In the moment when we were more flexible on Sadio and Bobby’s position and when we used Mo more often for balls into his feet and one-twos in and around the box, we were then really in charge of the game.

“Was I surprised that it (Lascelles challenge on Matip) was still not a penalty (with the use of VAR)? Yes.

“For me it’s a clear penalty but as long as you win then it’s not an issue.

“If we were sitting here and had lost 1-0 then we would speak differently about the penalty.

“But it is a penalty, you cannot fight like this for a ball, it’s a wrestling situation, he (Lascelles) turns him (Matip) in the air.

“In the past we didn’t need VAR for these decisions, so we should not use it now.

“Just whistle it and shoot from the penalty spot.”

Stats from BBC Sport:

Liverpool 3 Newcastle 1 – Saturday 14 September 12.30pm

Goals:

Newcastle:

Willems 7

Liverpool:

Mane 28, 40, Salah 72

Possession was Liverpool 76% Newcastle 24%

Total shots were Liverpool 21 Newcastle 8

Shots on target were Liverpool 9 Newcastle 1

Corners were Liverpool 10 Newcastle 1

Referee: Andre Marriner

Newcastle team v Liverpool:

Dubravka, Krafth (Manquillo 67), Schar (Fernandez 80), Lascelles, Dummett, Willems, Hayden, Shelvey, Atsu, Almiron (Muto 67), Joelinton

Unused Subs

Darlow, Clark, Ki, Matty Longstaff

Crowd: 51,430  (3,000 Newcastle)

(Steve Bruce talks after the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool HERE)

(Match ratings and comments on all NUFC players HERE)

(Instant NUFC fan/writer reaction to defeat at Anfield HERE)

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