Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's brilliant opener against Manchester City had its roots in conversations with Jürgen Klopp about shooting more often.

The No.21 broke the deadlock in the showdown between the Premier League’s most prolific teams on Sunday, by surging forward to the edge of the box and smacking a low effort across Ederson.

“I managed to win the ball back. I drove through and there was a little gap that opened up. The manager keeps telling me to shoot so I gave it a go – and luckily it went in,” he told Sky Sports after the 4-3 victory.

Leroy Sane had levelled Oxlade-Chamberlain’s strike shortly before the break, but an incredible 10-minute period after the interval saw the Reds take a three-goal lead through Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.

And, though Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan found the net late on to threaten a comeback, Klopp’s men secured a result that inflicted a first defeat of the season on City.

“It’s a nice statement for us to make. They have been brilliant all year, they are a fantastic side and they have showed that,” said Oxlade-Chamberlain.

“We knew we had what it took, if we were at 100 per cent, to get three points. It’s good that we did it. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter who it is, we just wanted to win.”

Asked to explain Liverpool’s gameplan against Pep Guardiola’s side, he added: “They like to play out from the back and they’re really good at it. But at the same time we thrive when teams try to do that. It can play into our hands.

“In the second half, when we went on a bit of a rampage for five or 10 minutes, that showed. They got out a few times, as they will, they’re a quality side.

“The plan was to defend them all over the pitch as well as we can, chase them down and then when we get the opportunities, attack and play football like we can.”

The England international’s final words were saved for the home supporters.

He said: “The fans were absolutely unbelievable. It’s one of the best atmospheres I’ve played in. I often say that when I play here most weeks. But they were fantastic today and they helped us over the line.”