Jurgen Klopp was pleased with the hard fought win on Wednesday night (Picture: Getty Images)
Jurgen Klopp picked out Fabinho and Liverpool’s centre-backs for praise after the win over Wolves on Wednesday night, as they helped the Reds pick up a much needed victory at Anfield.
It has been a difficult season for Klopp’s side but it is far from over as the 2-0 win put them sixth in the table, six points behind Tottenham in fourth with a game in hand.
Results have not been as hoped so far, though, and both the central defenders and midfielders at Liverpool have come in for plenty of criticism this season, with the club expected to go big in the transfer market this summer to address the problems.
However, Klopp picked out the performances of centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate on Wednesday, along with midfielder Fabinho, who has really struggled for his best form this campaign.
‘I thought we performed tonight, we played a really good game in general,’ Klopp told a post-match press conference. ‘But I really think the centre-halves and Fabinho together, how they covered that area, how they denied the counter-attacks, how they defended into midfield, which is very important against a team who play with one striker, I thought they did really well.
‘In possession, we looked pretty good in a lot of moments, with Harvey [Elliott], Stefan [Bajcetic] in the half-spaces, that worked well. Up front, we grew into the game; it’s not a game where immediately you create plenty of chances but we grew into the game, all the boys were really involved in all the dangerous stuff, worked extremely hard defensively as well. That’s why you win a football game.’
Virgil van Dijk scored Liverpool’s opener against Wolves (Picture: Getty Images)
Klopp also hailed the progress of Darwin Nunez, who he described as ‘super-important’ to the team as the 23-year-old continues to adapt to the Premier League.
The Uruguayan didn’t get on the scoresheet – with Van Dijk and Mo Salah scoring the goals – but Klopp was pleased with his input.
‘I would say he is really getting there,’ said the boss. ‘Everybody can see he is just a handful, just a proper threat. Again, the [disallowed] goal he scored was a super reaction, a super finish.
‘The runs he had, one again down the line; in the end cross doesn’t arrive but [it was] pretty similar to the Everton goal, if you want. Using his speed in both directions, offensively and defensively. He is really good.
‘He is still a young boy and I think everyone can see he will get there, there is no doubt about it, but he is already for us super-important.’