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LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) – Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said he loved the season-opening entertainment the champions provided in their 4-3 win over Leeds United on Saturday, but said it was better for his part.
Promoted Leeds, back in the top flight after 16 years, defended from a goal against three times, but Liverpool emerged with all three points after an 88th-minute penalty from hat-trick hero Mohamed Salah.
“What a game, what an opponent, what a performance from both teams. A real show, I loved it,” Klopp said after his team extended its unbeaten home record in the league to 60 games.
“It is quite rare that many goals are seen in a game, we have left room to improve our defense but that is not unusual for a first game. Our players have played for their countries a few days ago so it is possible (this happens)” added.
Klopp credited Leeds for their display after they showed off the brand of intense football that Marcelo Bielsa has instilled in them.
“The opponent forced us to make mistakes, we can do better, we will do better, but I loved the game against a passionate and well-organized team like Leeds,” Klopp said.
“We used our skills to cause problems for them, we could have scored more and in the end we used set pieces, which is fine by me.
“It’s not like riding a bike, you can lose something in preseason and it takes time to get back together. I’m very positive about this game. Leeds will have a good season if they can maintain that intensity and they did it in the championship with more. matches, why not? “
Salah said he, too, was impressed by the Yorkshire club’s focus on an empty Anfield.
“It is a tough team, to be fair. They had a great game. There are no fans, but they play, they react very well and they scored three goals for us, that’s huge.
“I am happy with the result and we have to keep improving and try not to concede so many goals. Without fans it is very difficult, especially at Anfield, everyone knows that. But it’s a good start for us, “he said.
(Reporting by Simon Evans, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
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