Jurgen Klopp hailed the “best performance of the season” from Liverpool, as they ran riot at Elland Road.
The Reds smashed six past hapless Leeds to send them reeling to their second thrashing here in a week…and remind everyone of the devastating quality which has been missing from Klopp's team for much of the campaign.
It was their first win in all competitions in 44 days - the last a record-breaking 7-0 rout of Manchester United at Anfield - has come far too late to revive their shattered Champions League hopes, but boss Klopp insisted it was a hugely important victory nonetheless.
“It was the best game we played this season from all different aspects, definitely the best game we have played, and I enjoyed it immensely,” he said.
“And it is super important. I think the problem with this season and that season (where Liverpool went on a late run to finish third) is that we are a bit further away. But it is still massively important because we need all the performances now to create something new.”
If Klopp has already conceded the top four, with Liverpool still eight points off a Champions League place, then he believes the performances now can act as a huge boost for next season, and set the tone for a renewed assault on honours.
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“I have no clue where it will lead to this season,” he said of the win, after two goals apiece from Mo Salah and Diogo Jota.“But it is super important where it will lead, because it all gives information. It will go on after that, there will be a next season.
“We played a really bad season but some things are not really easy to explain, some things are not acceptable. When we put in good performances we can understand what is possible.
"That’s really, really important for me. That’s why I don’t think where we can push to or whatever. I just want us to play top football, win games and then we will see where we end up.”
Klopp was full of praise for the performance of Jota, who scored his first goal in 1,687 minutes, after 32 games without the net, while the described the return of Luis Diaz from injury as a late sub as “massive”.
But Leeds boss Javi Gracia was devastating, admitting he was at a loss to explain his team’s collapse this week after losing 5-1 to Palace last weekend. The new boss though, did suggest that Liverpool’s first goal was a crucial turning point, following an obvious handball from Trent Alexander-Arnold in the build up.
“After conceding six goals I don’t want to say anything but you and me know what happened,” he said. “It is hard to manage. I don’t remember in my career if in two games I concede five, six goals but I am here to try to give my best to try to help the team and the club.”
