Jurgen Klopp confident Liverpool would have been worthy of victory at Chelsea despite last-gasp equaliser

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David Lynch30 September 2018

Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool would have been more than worthy winners of their thrilling clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but declared himself happy with a 1-1 draw in the end.

Heading into the final minute of normal time, it appeared that profligacy in front of goal and Eden Hazard’s well-taken strike had condemned the Reds to their second narrow defeat to Maurizio Sarri’s men in a week.

However, Daniel Sturridge’s unstoppable, last-gasp curler from distance earned the visitors a point from a match in which they had posted more shots, more shots on target and more possession.

Consequently, when asked if his side had deserved their share of the spoils, Klopp replied: “I can’t understand how somebody can ask me that question.

Sturridge proves a point at Stamford Bridge.
AFP/Getty Images

“I’m only angry because another person asked me as well the question and it sounds like I have to say, ‘We deserved a point’.

“Of course we deserved a point - we would have deserved to win!

“But it’s all good with the result, both teams deserved a point, that’s good, we only had more chances.

“We had already more chances on Wednesday but Chelsea is a super team so it’s quite difficult to play them. I thought we did it in a really impressive way, to be honest.”

Getty Images

Klopp declared himself delighted for goalscorer Sturridge, who has found the back of the net on three occasions already this term despite limited opportunities.

He reiterated that the striker is as fit as he has seen him and lifted the lid on the dressing room ovation he received post-match.

“It’s that tight sometimes. Three days ago he had a similar situation and hit the crossbar and reminded nobody [of his quality] then obviously,” he added.

“He is a fantastic football player and he had a full pre-season and is in the best shape since I’ve known him, simple as that.

“It’s really cool, I’m really happy for him. He works hard, he’s just a good lad, that’s how it is.

“When he came in the dressing room after 20 minutes or so it was pretty loud - the boys were all happy for him. He really is in a good moment.”

One downside for Liverpool was the poor performance of last season’s star man Mohamed Salah, who was replaced just after the hour mark having struggled to make an impact.

But Klopp remains relaxed about the Egyptian’s form, insisting his refusal hide in difficult moments is what makes him a world-class player.

He continued: “It was tactical, he was not injured. It was not Mo’s best game of his career, 100 per cent.

“But coming in a game like this, constantly in situations like he comes in, that makes a world-class player. You fail, you miss, whatever, that happens. No problem with that.

“But I want him so that he wants to be decisive, to score in these situations. You could see the first ball he missed a bit it was not in the right position, and the next ball he passed! Why? He could have shot.

“It’s like riding a bike. It’s not that you wake up in the morning and you can’t finish and you can’t ride a bike any more. That’s how it is. You need to work for these moments when it’s clicking. That’s the period he’s in, no problem with that.”

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