Jurgen Klopp praised his team’s decision-making at pivotal moments after Liverpool came from a goal down to beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The German oversaw a stunning first win in the Premier League, with Philippe Coutinho’s brace and a third from substitute Christian Benteke turning the game around following a fourth-minute opener from Ramires.
Klopp’s charges were good value for their result, enjoying more possession and registering twice as many shots as the Londoners en route to maximum points.
But it was the composure shown by his players, most notably in Coutinho’s two finishes from the edge of the area and Benteke’s impact from the bench, that most satisfied the manager.
“They made their goal but we stood in the game,” Klopp said. “We had our moments, we played football and our build-up with short passes — what we want to do — was very good.
“In the second half it was an open game, we got a little bit more of the game and made our goals in two perfect moments for us. Shoot at the right moment, don’t shoot at the wrong moment, take the ball to a better situation and then shoot. A little bit of luck, of course, but I feel it was deserved.
“At the end, we had to work hard but that’s normal if you want to win at Chelsea. We had to work hard and that’s what we did.”
Last weekend, in the aftermath of a late Southampton leveller denying Liverpool at Anfield, Klopp had explained how his team needed to remain calm and brave when setbacks arrive.
And the message clearly made a difference this time, with the Reds undeterred by falling behind to Ramires’ header in the opening stages in the capital.
Read more from Klopp on LiverpoolFC.com >>
Liverpool-Chelsea Wrap: Philippe Coutinho fires Reds to win >>
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@Bolanet
