wicked.football

Jurgen Klopp gave his Liverpool players huge credit for their 4-0 thrashing that secured an ‘aggregate 9-0 win’ over Manchester United this season.

The Reds were dominant from pretty much first minute to last and thoroughly deserved the win to send them top. With Thiago pulling the strings in midfield, Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah (two) and Sadio Mane were all on the scoresheet. You can see our Player Ratings from Anfield right here.

The Reds remain on track for an unprecedented quadruple after a win over Manchester City on Saturday fired them into the FA Cup final.

City can of course still pip them to the Premier League title and the two sides could also meet in the Champions League final.

For now though, Liverpool are now two points clear at the top of the table. And all eyes will switch to the Etihad on Wednesday night when Manchester City take on in-form Brighton.

Anything but three points for Pep Guardiola’s side will see Liverpool remain top and pinned as title favourites.

In the short-term, Klopp was thrilled by his side’s display and insists his players can enjoy their night’s work.

And, having beaten United 5-0 at Old Trafford earlier this season, Klopp was quick to praise his players.

“It was obviously very important. We started and ended well and in between had a spell where we had to adjust to a different high press.”

Reflecting on Thiago’s display, the Reds boss was thoroughly delighted by what he saw.

“Thiago played a good game. So from our point of view, really nothing to moan about. We really don’t take this granted.”

“Thiago ripped his shorts! I thought it was something else (like injury). He’s fine.”

Jurgen Klopp puts rivalries to one side

“We can’t be in charge for 90, 95 minutes of the game… but in the first half, we were really, really, in charge of the game.

“We did what we had to do though and we won the game. [Scott] McTominay was not here, in the game, [Paul] Pogba has to go off and if it is a derby then it is not easy to play against us.

“If supporters want to celebrate 9-0 (over two games) that’s fine. It won’t last forever, they’ll strike back.”

Jurgen Klopp claimed, however, his favourite moment of the match came in the seventh minute. That’s when both sets off fans united to show support to Cristiano Ronaldo following the tragic passing of his newborn baby son.

“My moment of the game was the seventh minute when all people showed pure class. It was a lovely, lovely moment. It’s how football should be. Some things in life are much more important than football. We feel for Cristiano and his family. All of our thoughts are with him. I cannot imagine how impossibly difficult this must be.”

Thiago and Salah reflect on brilliant Liverpool win

Liverpool midfielder Thiago put in one of his best ever displays in a Reds shirt.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, he admits it’s a pleasure to play in this side.

“When we have these attackers in front of us and you see not only how they score but in defensive situations they want to get involved. It makes us perform,” he said.

Asked if he rated the game as his best-ever for Liverpool, he added: “I can’t be the one to judge my performance. It is one of the strongest performances at Anfield. We are not worried about where the goals come from. We are happy with all the strikers and how we play.”

Liverpool forward Salah was quick to lavish praise on Thiago and Liverpool’s midfielders.

“In midfield they make our life easier. We have a clean sheet here and there. Once we get the first goal, we want the second and the third. It was a top performance by us and hopefully we continue.

“I score many goals for this club. Sometimes you have bad luck. The most important thing is the team winning. We just need to focus on ourselves and the rest is not in our hands.”

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