Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool’s second-half efficiency in Wednesday’s win over Luton was like a “thunderstorm” – and can substitute 2019’s well-known comeback towards Barcelona as his supply of inspiration for crew talks.
Trailing to Chiedozie Ogbene’s Twelfth-minute header, Klopp’s aspect have been a unique prospect after the break with Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott citing 100 objectives for the season.
Whereas it on no account matched the magnitude of their Champions League semi-final comeback after shedding the primary leg 3-0 to Barcelona, it was important within the title race as they stretched their lead over Man Metropolis to 4 factors, having performed a sport extra.
“Tonight is one of those nights where it is difficult to stop talking. I am so happy,” mentioned Klopp, who was with out 11 first-team gamers together with forwards Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez who stay uncertain for Sunday’s Carabao Cup closing towards Chelsea, stay on Sky Sports activities.
“We needed to ignore the actual fact we have been 1-0 down and use the issues which are good and enhance the counter-press. The second half was a thunderstorm. Wow.
“I’ll point out this sport from now fairly a number of occasions. I promised my crew a number of months in the past that I might by no means point out or use the Barcelona sport for instance and I used it once more at this time so I broke my promise.
“Simply because earlier than the sport, it was form of comparable. Many gamers lacking, stuff like this. The crew that point ignored the actual fact who’s lacking and I would like us to disregard the actual fact who’s lacking.
“That’s tough as a result of the general public bought the entire information of who’s lacking solely tonight. It is like… I wanted a couple of minutes to course of it after I bought all of the information.
“But from that moment on, when you know how you can deal with it and sort it for this game, it feels really good. That is what I wanted the boys to show.
“That is an instance tonight. That is their Barcelona, now towards Luton. A tough state of affairs, loads of causes to surrender in moments: not tonight and I noticed solely an excellent group combating.
“If you don’t limit yourself with bad thoughts, you can fly. And that’s what the boys did.”
Luton head coach Rob Edwards, whose aspect have been spectacular within the first half, admitted scoring so early simply made their process tougher.
“We just made them angry,” he mentioned. “Overall it was a really good first half. Second half I thought we saw Anfield, saw Liverpool, saw their full-throttle football. Their counter-pressing football was amazing.
“Ultimately, it was an important studying curve for us to see what one of the best seems like. I do know that they had some gamers lacking, however their second-half efficiency was like one of the best on the market.
“I thought we were very, very good. They were better.”
Liverpool’s win in stats
- Liverpool have recovered 22 factors from shedding positions within the Premier League this season, greater than some other aspect, and their joint-most in a single marketing campaign within the competitors (additionally 22 in 2008-09).
- With a median age of 25 years and 68 days, Liverpool named their youngest beginning XI for a Premier League sport since February 2018 towards Southampton (24y 355d).
- Luton are considered one of two sides, together with Sheffield United, but to maintain a clear sheet away from residence within the Premier League this season. The Hatters have shipped 29 objectives in 12 away video games within the division this season, the joint-most of any aspect on the highway, together with Bournemouth and Sheffield United.
- There have been simply 125 seconds between Virgil van Dijk’s equaliser and Cody Gakpo placing Liverpool 2-1 forward towards Luton.
What’s subsequent?
Liverpool tackle Chelsea on the Carabao Cup closing at Wembley Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 3pm), whereas Luton host Man Metropolis within the FA Cup fifth spherical on Tuesday February 27 (kick-off 8pm).
Get Sky Sports activities on WhatsApp!
Now you can begin receiving messages and alerts for the newest breaking sports activities information, evaluation, in-depth options and movies from our devoted WhatsApp channel!
Discover out extra right here.