Jurgen Klopp on Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Everton: ‘Our best performance for a while’ | Football News

Klopp said after Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Everton: “I thought the performance was the best in a long time. You win when you don’t play well, but it’s much better when you deserve it and we deserve it.”

Jurgen Klopp spoke of his great relief at winning the Merseyside derby, calling it Liverpool’s “best performance in a long time”.

Cody Gakpo scored his first goal for Liverpool as the Reds produced a commanding performance to defeat rivals Everton 2-0 at Anfield and end a run of four league games without a win Monday night soccer.

Mohamed Salah broke Liverpool just 16 seconds after Everton’s James Tarkowski was headed off a corner against the post as Liverpool opened the visitors with a devastating counterattack. Liverpool move up to ninth in the table, ahead of Chelsea, nine points clear and fourth.

Klopp was asked if the 16 seconds between Tarkowski’s header and Salah’s goal was a key moment of the season, he said: “Absolutely. We thought the same. It happened last week [vs Wolves] the first ball into the penalty area, deflection and then goal. This sets a direction for the game, although it shouldn’t have any impact, but it happens. That was the biggest difference between other games and tonight. I found the performance to be the best in a long time. You win when you don’t play well, but it’s much better when you deserve it and we deserve it.

“The atmosphere was superb. I’m in love with our crowd – what they did tonight was extremely helpful and the lads repaid it. It was a real derby with a difficult opponent but we played the game we play wanted, not the game Everton wanted We kept the ball, changed ends, had patience, got behind the line and I saw a real unit tonight with everyone really fighting.

“And the goals we scored were two sensational counterattacks. Do you remember the last time we had so many counterattack options? I can’t. Tonight we were there. That has to be the sign what we are.” We had 70 percent possession and made two counterattacks, that’s something special.

“I really think that the way you find yourself in difficult situations determines the future. We are the club that shows how to deal with difficult moments. There is nothing bad to say about how people react have, and tonight was special.”

Klopp’s emotions ran high at full-time and he was delighted to do the Kop the favor with his trademark fist-pumping celebration.

“It’s a huge relief. I didn’t want to do it, but you don’t know when the next time you can. Whatever the crowd would have asked tonight, I would have done it – aside from getting rid of my clothes, we don’t want to torment them.”

Salah: A big win, it looked like old Liverpool?

Mohamed Salah speaking to Sky Sports:

“It’s big, huge for us. We couldn’t wait for this game to turn everything around, we hope it’s the start.

“We were a little lucky but luck comes with hard work. We were excited that this game was going to change everything. Hopefully this is the start. Henderson and Milner talked last week about enjoying our football since we’ve been been together for six years.” years and we have new players who are playing really well. It looked like old Liverpool but that started last week.”

Carra: Victory in Newcastle and Liverpool are back in the top four races

Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football:

“Klopp just has to hope Liverpool can go ahead now and try to fight for that top four position. Could they have a Champions League run? Sometimes a big result in a big game can trigger something.

“Liverpool have looked like their elders in this game for many years.

“I still think it’s a great opportunity for them to finish in the top four. Liverpool’s next away game at Newcastle is crucial. If they get three points in this game then I think they’re back in the equation. There’s still so long to go in the season.”

Is Bajcetic the answer to Liverpool’s midfield woes?

Liverpool’s 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic earned Carragher’s player of the match award with a brave display in midfield.

Having played lower at times since joining the first-team, Bajcetic was allowed to continue moving up at Anfield while Fabinho sat back as the youngster showed off his passing range in the absence of the injured Thiago.

“I will make Bajcetic player of the match,” Carragher said in the co-comment. “Nunez was incredible, Salah was. But for a young man his age playing in a Merseyside derby and putting on the performance he’s put in…

“He has kept out players who have won the Champions League in recent weeks.

“I wasn’t sure if this was the game for him tonight given the strength and physicality of Everton’s midfield but he was outstanding. He dealt physically with the demands, but also with his quality on the ball.”

Not only Carragher was impressed by Bajcetic’s performance. Liverpool goalscorer Salah singled him out for high praise as the pair spoke to him Sky Sports after the 2-0 win.

“He’s a great player and person who always works hard. Since he’s been with us he’s maybe our best player. I hope he can stay that confident,” said Salah of the Spaniard.

Bajcetic, who started as a centre-back, says it’s been a whirlwind 12 months for him at Liverpool. “It’s crazy,” he said Sky Sports. “A year ago I played U18 football and now I’m at Anfield. I enjoy it.”

So much has been written about Liverpool’s failure to upgrade their midfield in recent seasons but perhaps Bajcetic can become part of the solution to this problem. He certainly has the energy and the technical ability to hold his own and doesn’t show that he also has the mentality to handle it.