Jurgen Klopp has admitted Liverpool’s victory over West Ham United feels ‘massive’ after the Reds scraped to a narrow 1-0 victory over the Hammers in windy conditions at Anfield.
Darwin Nunez’s first Anfield goal earned all three points for Liverpool as they moved into the top seven, but they had Alisson Becker to thank for the victory after the Brazilian saved a first half penalty from Jarrod Bowen and produced a superb save with his legs to deny Tomas Soucek late on.
Impressed by his side’s performance in the first half against West Ham, Klopp conceded the penalty left a bad taste despite the save. And while he conceded his side have plenty of room for improvement after losing control in the second half, he was relieved to see them claim all three points in tricky conditions to build on Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Man City.
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“First half was a really good half with a bad ending, for us with the penalty,” he told reporters. “But then a good ending because Ali could save the penalty.
“It still left a bit of a bad taste like we were lucky. First half we were not, we played an exceptional game. We played really good football and we scored a wonderful goal, hit the post.
“Fabianski with great saves, big blocks in decisive areas from West Ham. But we didn't play that well in the second half so that’s why the game opened up.
“We had some moments obviously but in general we didn't play enough to control the game. If you don’t control it, West Ham is there. The long balls flying in, great set pieces.
“In the end we needed Ali, we needed Milly’s big toe. A couple of things but overall I think it is a deserved three points.
“It’s a very important, tough period for all teams. If you have to grind results out. We have three days now and the next fight is waiting already.”
He continued: “It (winning narrowly) didn’t happen too often but it’s now not that we are used to it. We either win really high or not. It’s the second 1-0 in a row which is absolutely fine. A brilliant result.
“I know people hate when I mention the wind but it makes a football game really tricky. The ball is in the air and you could see a few moments when this long diagonal ball, everybody expected Trent to get the ball, in the last seconds the ball gets a little push and it goes wide.
“And then there’s the one-v-one situation with Benrahma who is obviously a pretty good dribbler. In these situations it can happen.
“That’s why you should keep the ball on the ground and control it and that’s what we have to do. We have space for improvement, that’s clear. It was always the case and tonight is the case.
“But in this moment we have three points more than before and that feels massive.”
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