'No surprise at Maxi impact'

The 30-year-old marked an energetic first Barclays Premier League start of the season by putting the finishing touches on a well-worked move to net the opening goal in the Reds' 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Clarke insists nobody within the Liverpool ranks was surprised by Maxi's impact and paid tribute to the way the forward has worked hard on the Melwood training pitches to ensure he was primed to take his opportunity.

The first-team coach told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Everybody here knows the qualities of Maxi.

"He's been unfortunate this year that he's not had an extended run in the team, but what it does say about him is that he is a complete professional.

"When you're not in the team, it's difficult to come in every day, work hard and be prepared for your chance. Maxi has worked hard every day in training.

"Not just Maxi, but all the squad of players - they've worked hard in training, they wait for their chance. When Maxi went in, he did a fantastic job for us."

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Clarke added: "Everybody has spoken about the squad we've got this year. We feel it's an improvement on what we inherited when Kenny and I came to the club.

"The squad is stronger this year and I think the weekend proved that. If you look at the bench, it was very strong.

"What you try to create at a club like Liverpool is competition for places. Everybody has that competition for their place now and it can only be helpful for the group going forward."

Maxi was one of a number of stand-out performers for Liverpool on a highly-satisfying afternoon in west London.

Glen Johnson claimed many of the headlines, however, with his stunning solo effort on 87 minutes helping Liverpool clinch all three points.

It was only the England defender's fourth start of the season after injuries hampered the beginning of his campaign, but Clarke believes the goal proves he is well on his way back to peak form.

"Glen has been really unfortunate with injury this year," said the Scot. "He's slowly getting back to where we all know that he can be.

"It's another step in the right direction for him, it's another 90 minutes under his belt, and the fact he scored a goal and made a valuable contribution to the team means it will give him confidence in the games going forward. He's improving all the time."

Click below to watch Glen's Chelsea winner in 10 angles

Johnson netted after collecting Charlie Adam's pin-point cross-field pass and surging into the area before retaining his composure to slot into bottom corner with his left foot.

"It's great when your full-backs can get forward and create chances or score goals," said Clarke. "We've already spoken about how important the full-back is in the modern game in an attacking sense.

"The timing of Glen's movement was fantastic. We'd had a passage of play on the opposite side of the pitch, and when the ball came to Charlie, Glen realised there was space in front of him and he made the break to go forward. It was a fantastic pass from Charlie, and obviously Glen did the rest."

Johnson was one component of a back four that stood firm under pressure from Chelsea in the early stages of the second half on Sunday.

Though Daniel Sturridge netted what proved to be a consolation for the Blues, Liverpool now have the joint-best defensive record in the division along with Manchester City and Newcastle United having conceded just 11 goals.

Clarke admits he's been pleased with the Reds' resilience in recent weeks - but insists the hard work will continue in training to make the team's rearguard even more imperious.

"I've said before, it's important to defend well. The foundation of any win comes from a solid defence.

"I think we've got the fewest goals against in the Premier League, which is good, and by and large we've defended very well.

"You also need your moments of luck - and there was a great save from Pepe on Sunday when the game was 1-1. All those moments are vital in a game.

"Up to now we can be pleased with our defensive performances, but that's not to say we're going to sit back and relax."

Click below to watch the Chelsea highlights

While delighted at the manner of Liverpool's display at the Bridge, Clarke refuses to be drawn on whether it was the team's best performance of an impressive 2011-12 season so far.

Instead, the 48-year-old insists it was vital the Reds bounced back to winning ways following the goalless Anfield draw with Swansea in their previous outing.

Clarke said: "Rather than trying to rank it where it is in terms of the season, it was just a very important performance at a time when as a team we needed a big performance. It's a testament to the players we were able to produce that kind of performance.

"I think it was important after the disappointment of dropping points at Swansea that we went down there, had a positive attitude and tried to get ourselves back on track. I think we did that.

"If you look at the performance overall, the manner we approached the game was one of the most pleasing aspects. We had a shape and we wanted to play a certain way, and I think the players did that.

"You can prepare for the game, but at the end of the day the players have to go on the pitch and do it and what you want them to do. That's what they did and we got the win we deserved."