Jurgen Klopp compares heroic defending to ‘scoring a goal’ as Liverpool continue win streak
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp celebrates after the final whistle following the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Saturday March 5, 2022.
Liverpool have moved within three points of Manchester City following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over top-four chasing West Ham.
Sadio Mane scored the winning goal in the 27th minute, but right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is likely to get a lot of the credit after producing the assist and also going on to make vital contributions at the back.
The England international was forced to make a goal line clearance to deny Pablo Fornals. Further interventions from Andy Robertson and Naby Keita were also needed as West Ham unsuccessfully piled on the pressure at Anfield.
Liverpool have now won 12 straight games in all competitions and are in hot pursuit of league leaders Manchester City.
Looking back on the win, Jurgen Klopp said: "All these situations were like scoring a goal.
"I think because of the situation West Ham had we felt in a bit of a rush and needed to finish the game off. We needed to be calm and we couldn't finish it off.
"When you are not perfectly organised or you don't win the decisive challenge you have to use your legs, passion, big heart to defend.
"Robbo, Naby, then Ali (Alisson Becker) - we knew we needed some luck in these moments and some proper defending in a way but I think it is difficult to deny them (chances) over 95 minutes.
"When you win 12 in a row then you can't only win the ones when you are flying and today we were not flying, we had to dig deep and that's what the boys did.
"It's necessary to get something out of this season and so we keep on going. No time to rest."
The Reds return to action on Tuesday as they host Inter Milan in the second leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie.
