BRIGHTON, United Kingdom (AFP) - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hailed his side's maturity as Premier League contenders after breaking down an obdurate Brighton thanks to Mohamed Salah's 50th-minute penalty in a 1-0 win on Saturday (Jan 12).
Klopp's men had lost their last two games in very contrasting fashion as Manchester City inflicted Liverpool's only Premier League defeat of the campaign nine days ago before a much-changed side lost in the FA Cup to Wolves.
Liverpool were far from their fluent best on England's south coast, but ground out a vital win to move seven points clear of City at the top of the table thanks to a 13th clean sheet in 22 league games this season.
"The headline before the game was 'be ready', the headline after the game is 'very mature'," said Klopp.
"It's so important. On the good days everybody can win; on average days not a lot of teams can win football games and, on a bad day, only a few can win.
"Today was not a bad day but it was a difficult day because Brighton is doing really well."
Salah was just one a number of first-team regulars to return from Monday's defeat by Wolves, but the Egyptian and the rest of Liverpool's forward line were starved of service before the break as Brighton sat deep and the visitors dominated possession without any cutting edge.
"It was very hard but that is how it is," added Klopp.
"I liked the performance. It wasn't an opera of football but it was a really nice song."
SALAH'S SIGNAL OF INTENT
Salah immediately signalled a change in Liverpool's intent after half-time as his powerful shot at the end of a purposeful run was well saved by David Button.
Brighton, though, were architects of their own downfall moments later. Salah was given too much room inside the area to turn and Pascal Gross then hauled down last season's Premier League player of the year.
"I feel for Pascal because Mo Salah is probably the most dangerous player once he gets in those positions one on one," said Brighton boss Chris Hughton, who had no complaints over the penalty award.
Salah stepped up to blast the penalty past Button and move level with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Harry Kane as the league's top-scorer on 14 goals for the season.
One moment of madness from Gross undid Hughton's gameplan to defend and frustrate the league leaders.
Yet, the German midfielder had a chance to make amends almost immediately with Brighton's best opportunity to level, but his shot was bravely blocked by Fabinho.
From then on Liverpool looked more likely to add to their lead than concede as Firmino's fierce strike from outside the box was placed too close to Button before Georginio Wijnaldum and Sadio Mane fired wide.
Salah passed up a glorious chance two minutes from time when he turned James Milner's driven cross wide from point-blank range.
That could have proved costly when Florin Andone escaped in behind the Liverpool defence in stoppage time, but his low cross found no takers.
And Liverpool held out to ensure a largely forgettable 90 minutes could be remembered as another important step on course to the title come May.
Klopp plays down Liverpool fatigue concerns ahead of season run-in. Football - Champions League - Liverpool Training - Melwood, Liverpool, Britain - April 16
Apr 17, 2019 · Tottenham stuns Man City to reach Champions League semis. Fernando Llorente sent Tottenham into its first European Cup semifinal in 57 years by ending Manchester City's quadruple hopes on a
Football: Tottenham take revenge on Arsenal to reach League
Football: Mourinho concedes Man United incapable of living
Neymar PSG extension more likely than Madrid switch - father dad laughed off the idea of a switch to Real Madrid or elsewhere and said his son was more likely to
Neymar's father reveals his son is in talks with PSG over a
Madrid, Nov 10 (IANS) Real Madrid's interim coach, Santiago Solari, on Saturday praised Welsh forward Gareth Bale while calling for patience with Spanish midfielder Isco Alarcon, who has yet to
Solari remains defiant as Real go out | ClubCall.com
Hammers pack a punch: Klopp LONDON • West Ham may have a raft of injury problems, with a number of key players either missing or rated touch and go, but Jurgen Klopp is not taking their trip to the London Stadium lightly as their opponents are "nearly a top-six side".
Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool players needed hammer to 'punch
PFA calls for instant action to combat racism in football calling for stronger sanctions across the world football for cases of racial abuse. plan to help stamp out racial abuse: "1
Kick It Out calls for action after Ashley Young is targeted
Zinedine Zidane will make a shock return as coach of Real Madrid after the club decided on Monday to sack Santiago Solari, say reports in the Spanish press. Madrid president Florentino Perez has
Zidane set for shock Madrid return | The Guardian Nigeria
PARIS: Cardiff City chairman Mehmet Dalman said on Tuesday the club will pay the fee for striker Emiliano Sala if they are contractually required to do so. Sala had signed for the Premier League side and was flying to his new team from his old club Nantes in France when his plane went missing over the Channel on January 21.
Cardiff to pay Sala fee if necessary - report - FootyNews.co.uk
MANCHESTER (REUTERS) - Sergio Aguero's hat-trick led Manchester City to a 3-1 win over Arsenal on Sunday (Feb 3) and back into second place in the Premier League, two points behind leaders Liverpool.
Aguero hat-trick fires Man City to 3-1 win over Arsenal
Liverpool squad and backroom staff celebrate in front of the Kop after winning the UEFA Champions league semi-final second leg football match against Barcelona at Anfield in Liverpool, north west
Liverpool stun Barcelona to reach Champions League final
Eden Hazard late show rescues Chelsea in Wolves draw Description: Under Sarri's watch, Chelsea have also suffered humiliating thrashings at City and Bournemouth, while supporters chanted for his sacking after the FA Cup exit against Manchester United.
Eden Hazard late show rescues Chelsea in Wolves draw
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen