Jurgen Klopp has revealed his debt of gratitude to Alisson Becker after Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 3-1 at Selhurst Park.
Goals from Virgil van Dijk, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and a late penalty from Fabinho were enough for the Reds to close the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City, but it was Alisson who caught the eye with a number of impressive saves.
The Brazil goalkeeper denied Odsonne Edouard's close-range back-heel early in the second half before he pushed Michael Olise's goal-bound lob around the post at 2-1.
Klopp explained how he thanked the goalkeeper for preserving the lead in what could yet be a big victory in the title race.
"I said to him now: 'Thank you for saving our backside again!'" the Liverpool boss told Sky Sports.
"He said: 'That's my job'. Of course it is very helpful to have a world-class goalkeeper at the back!
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"It was a bit of Jekyll and Hyde football today. You could see how good we can be.
"We were incredible in the first 35 minutes. Then after an intense week - away at Arsenal - I don't have any real explanation but the intensity might be one."
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Klopp continued: "We became sloppy in the last line. In the second half we were not compact, the first line pressed too high and the distance was not right.
"We played a high line and did not catch them offside which was our fault of course.
"In the second half we were not compact, the first line pressed too high and the distance was not right.
"We played a high line and did not catch them offside which was our fault of course."
The win moves the Reds to within nine points of City following their draw with Southampton on Saturday night and Klopp's men still have to play Leeds United at home after their game on Boxing Day was postponed.
Liverpool are also still to play City at the Etihad, but Klopp is playing down talk of chasing down Pep Guardiola's champions just now.
Klopp added: "The distance is too far to talk about it but we don’t have to. We just need to win football matches.
"Each Premier League game is difficult like we saw today. We made it more exciting than necessary!
"We will see what happens in the final few months."
