Liverpool decisively dealt with a bad run of form on Monday. Manager Jürgen Klopp takes into account that it is too late to conquer another top four ranking.
Huge smile back on Klopp: “That’s the difference”
Klopp couldn’t believe his luck. After weeks of disappointments, his side at Elland Road struck hard and the big smile returned to the manager’s face. “I think we played the best game of the season,” said the German after the resounding victory over Leeds United (1-6).
A moment in extra time was his favorite moment of the game. “We were already 6-1 up, we lost the ball and chased that poor Leeds lad with four men,” said Klopp, who saw how his ideas about Elland Road fell into place
“I can’t explain why our counter-pressing didn’t work in the past games and now it does. I don’t know how many goals we scored against Leeds after winning back the ball, but that’s the difference. We do know, but there’s a big difference between knowing and understanding and really feeling it,” he added.
Liverpool need more successes to clinch another Champions League ticket. A final sprint like in 2020/21, with 26 points from the last ten matches, seems necessary. Klopp realizes that it will be difficult.
The German concluded, “The problem is that compared to that season, the teams above us are a bit further away. I don’t know where we’re going to end up. I have no idea. The challenge is to build on this. It’s super important what’s going to happen from now on, because there’s a new season coming.”
Gakpo sees connection between forward trio grow
Cody Gakpo was one of the stars at Liverpool on Monday night. He praised the collaboration with Mohamed Salah.
“It was a great match,” the forward told Viaplay. He spoke to the press afterwards on Elland Road with a big smile on his face. For the first time since March 5, The Reds won again. He added, “This was something we worked hard for. Finally we showed it again, that’s very important to us.”
Gakpo opened the scoring against Leeds. The attacker tapped in after good preparation by Trent Alexander-Arnold. It broke the spell. He concluded, “This is a step in the right direction. We have had a very difficult time in many away games this year. But this was very good today.”
