Jurgen Klopp says the calming influences of Naby Keita and Thiago Alcantara helped Stefan Bajcetic shine as Liverpool beat Wolves 1-0 in the FA Cup.
Harvey Elliott's first-half wondergoal was enough to halt a poor start to 2023 for Klopp's side as the holders booked their place in the fourth round of the Cup with a battling performance at Molineux.
Bajcetic was making just his third start of the season on Tuesday night and contributed a composed performance at the base of a midfield that has come in for harsh scrutiny in recent weeks as calls to dip into the transfer market continue from outside the club.
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Klopp was impressed with the Spanish midfielder and believes he benefited from the quality and experience around him as Thiago turned in a much-improved display and Keita completed 90 minutes on his first start since late May.
"Stefan is a good boy, a good player, very smart in his movements, so the younger you are, you need a good start in the game," Klopp said. "So he had a few situations where I am not sure if he saw there was space or just hoped and he turned and there was actually space, but did really well.
"What helps is he wins these challenges and makes the last few steps before he blocks the ball and that is really good and having Thiago next to him is really helpful.
"Thiago is talking a lot on the pitch and Naby was there tonight which is really helpful. Both wingers defended really well and Cody was close to the centre for us and around Ruben Neves. He kept the ball for us in possession, which was important for the link-up play.
"Full-backs were really good, central defenders composed and Caoimhin (Kelleher) was there when we needed him. It was a good game. We wanted to go to the fourth round. Tonight is an important sign for us that these kind of things are possible and for our people at home. There is a massive game coming up at the weekend and I think if we had played another game like the last one, I am not sure what the people would have thought when they arrived at the stadium but they have something to look forward to and we will fight together again."
James Milner was one of eight changes on the night as he started at right-back on his first appearance for nearly a month and Klopp was pleased with the performance of his experienced vice-captain.
Klopp added: "He was top, top, the oldest players and the youngest were really exceptional. Milly, it is really important in a game like this you don’t get carried away because the boys did well. Yes the boys dropped a bit deeper, which I didn't like too much, Wolves came up a bit. We did really well, we changed, we just had to be serious and sensible that we do this in the right moments because none of the players we took off, we wanted to."
The Reds boss also reiterated he would like Roberto Firmino to sign a new contract at Anfield, saying: "I said that before, yes I want to keep him at the club."
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