Boss: We got cooler and cooler in Stoke win
Jürgen Klopp praised his Liverpool side for becoming 'cooler minute by minute' after they came from behind to beat Stoke City 4-1 on Tuesday night.
The Reds eventually registered a third consecutive Premier League win in resounding fashion, but only after Jonathan Walters had headed the Potters into an early lead at Anfield.
Strikes from Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino ensured the hosts went in ahead at the interval, before Giannelli Imbula’s own goal - which saw the Stoke man inadvertently round off a superb passing move from Liverpool - and a clinical finish from Daniel Sturridge made sure of the points.
The final scoreline reflected the dominance Klopp’s team enjoyed over much of the contest, and the manager was pleased with the way in which his players responded to Walters’ opener.
“We did well - if you want, well enough. It was not that we played, I don’t know, the stars from the sky, but we were quite in the game always [and stayed] concentrated,” Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com.
“We can do so many things better it’s unbelievable, but you win 4-1 a Premier League game against Stoke with the run they are in at the moment… it’s really difficult every week. So we will speak about all the things in the week, we don’t have to criticise too much, it will always happen.
“I said it after the Everton game: If we only win the genius games, that will not be a lot of games.
“So it was absolutely good, we reacted well and we became cooler minute by minute, especially second half. It was a very adult performance, so that was good.”
LFCTV GO: Watch Jürgen's assessment of Stoke victory
Walters’ header represented the first time this season Liverpool had conceded the opening goal in a Premier League match at Anfield.
But Klopp always felt confident that the Reds would hit back.
“I didn’t feel in this moment ‘That’s it, done’ or whatever,” he added.
“I knew we can do better, again we did a little bit better already in the first half, but it was still a little bit too nervous, too offensive. I didn’t see a lot of protection in our midfield, but we still have to learn so it’s no problem.
“We spoke about this at half-time, we were cooler, more patient and scored a wonderful third goal and the fourth one was a genius strike. Great.”