Jürgen Klopp on Stoke win, Salah and Solanke
Jürgen Klopp reflected on Liverpool's 3-0 win over Stoke City by saying: 'It was hard work, but we deserved it.'
Sadio Mane gave the Reds an early lead at the Bet 365 Stadium with a deft dink over Lee Grant, and Mohamed Salah - who started on the bench as one of six changes made by the manager - rounded off the victory with two clinical finishes late on.
Afterwards, Klopp was asked to assess his side's performance, Dominic Solanke's first Premier League start and Salah's impact, and also discussed Mane's display and rotation.
Read on for a full transcript of the boss' post-match press conference...
On the result and performance…
It was hard work, but that’s how football should be – especially when you go to places like Stoke, so it was no surprise. I think we could have made it a little bit easier for ourselves in the first half if we’d used the two fantastic chances we had. They were not lucky or anything; they were brilliant, brilliant play. We didn’t use them, so we needed a little bit of luck in the situation around the yellow card for Simon Mignolet – I don’t think it was a red card, but of course they could have scored in that situation and then the free-kick from Shaqiri was another real threat.
Second half, it was still an open goal but we should have been clearer in different situations with better passing in this moment, or a little bit cooler in another situation. The atmosphere was there and Crouchy as well, so that means you cannot defend these balls clearly because it’s difficult. After winning the ball, we should have done a little bit better. Then we changed twice and could decide the game. Two fantastic goals [from Salah], brilliant play – especially the second goal and the third one was a nice counter-attack a nice finish. In the end, it was well deserved but it was hard work. That’s how it is and no problem with that.
On Salah’s impact…
It is obviously good for us. It is difficult for all of the players coming on with this temperature. Last week we had a little bit of a problem [with the players that came on against Chelsea] and the next day more problems than the players that started; obviously sitting on the bench is not too nice, but today it worked really well. Two fantastic goals, to be honest.
On Mane’s display…
Good, good, good. Very important for us. He needs rhythm now. He was in perfect rhythm then break. Good rhythm and then break. And now he needs a little bit of time, but that’s no problem. He was really happy and it was absolutely fine with him, we all know in one or two situations if he is in a click-moment then he can score as well. It’s all good, he is ready to work. He is very important for us.
On Solanke’s first Premier League start…
He should have scored! A fantastic boy, well deserved and I am really happy for him that he could do that. He is a fantastic player. He can improve in pretty much everything, but he is already a good player. That’s probably the best news. I am really happy I could give him this opportunity tonight. He has to work like all the others, but everybody who is with England looked tonight and thought, ‘oh, that looks good’. He is a really good player.
On whether he feels he has enough strength in attack to rotate…
We have to protect and I am happy about the options I have. We thought about this option and that option. Ragnar Klavan was ill and Dejan Lovren was not fit in this moment, so if Raggy is fit Dejan is today not in the squad. Now he started and that’s how things are. Yes, we have options to change and I am happy about all of them – and Adam is not fit for another three or four days – but I am happy about the options.