Boss praises first-half showing
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has praised his side’s first half performance against Chelsea that helped them take all 3 points from Stamford Bridge on Friday night.
Liverpool controlled the game in the opening 45 minutes, with a goal from Dejan Lovren and a stunning strike from Jordan Henderson giving the Reds a 2-0 lead at the break.
Their pressing and work-rate overpowered a poor Chelsea, who just didn’t start the game as brightly, as a result were dominated.
Chelsea got a goal back with half an hour to go through Diego Costa, but the visitors held out to take an impressive win, and send a message out to the rest of the league.
“The first half was brilliant,” Klopp told Sky Sports. “From the first second we were there and had unbelievable movement.
“We played football like hell, it was really nice to watch, then we scored the goals, we were quick after set pieces. After they scored we managed and there were not a lot of chances for them.”
Liverpool have now won at Chelsea and Arsenal and drawn at Tottenham in their first five Premier League games of the season.
“We had moments before half-time where Chelsea came into the game a little, only because we stopped playing football,” added Klopp.
“We need to get used to being in a lead against a really strong side, learn how to manage the game with a lot of power in our legs and 100 per cent concentration because the second half was different. It was deeper, really passionate defending.”
The pick of the goals at Stamford Bridge was obviously captain Henderson’s excellent long-range effort 10 minutes before half time.
Reflecting on the strike, Klopp said: “It was a really nice goal. He is such a hard worker, there was a lot of pressure on his shoulders, we try to help him to learn and handle it and he is getting better and better.
“Jordan did well and got the benefit of all the hard work in the last few weeks with a wonderful strike.”
By Ben Kelly – @benkelly_10
