Klopp hails Liverpool for 'putting in a completely different change' against Ajax in 'important step'
Jurgen Klopp was delighted his Liverpool players were able to 'make a completely different change' to get the better of Ajax at Anfield.
Liverpool needed a positive result after suffering a shock 4-1 loss to Napoli last week.
It wasn't going to be easy as Ajax made a great start to the new campaign and beat Rangers 4-0 last week.
Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp avoid 18 days of crisis questions by dropping 'very normal' players
The Reds got off to a promising start at Anfield as Mohamed Salah found the net for the first time in four games.
The ball popped for the Egypt international in the penalty area and he made no mistake with his left-footed shot.
Ajax did not fold and equalized on the half hour. Ex-Tottenham star Steven Bergwijn returned the ball to Mohammed Kudos in the penalty area.
The 22-year-old was in acres of space and his thunderous strike found the net from below the crossbar.
Liverpool and Ajax traded chances after the break, but it was the hosts who put the pressure on towards the end.
They took the opportunity to find a winner in the 89th minute. Joel Matip forced the ball over the line with his head after being trapped by Konstantinos Tsimikas.
The 2-1 victory puts Liverpool top of Group A. But Napoli will be three points clear if they beat Rangers on Wednesday night.
Klopp said after the game that Liverpool 'played a lot of good things against tough opposition':
“I think everyone could see that we understood and had to put a completely different change in the game. The boys did that,” Klopp told BT Sport >.
"We played a lot of good things against tough opposition. Scored the first goal and should have scored more goals, especially from set pieces.
"I'm not sure it was their first attack, but Ajax didn't have many. That's how it is in our situation, anything can happen, but it was an incredible strike from [Mohammed ] Kudus.
"It's like another test. Everyone hopes you're going in the right direction and then you get another setback. You could see the impact of it.
"The pressing before the goal was much better than after the goal. Only a yard or two, but if we press, we have to do it right."
He added: "I'm not picky, in that sense [about Matip scoring]. It was a great celebration that showed just about everything the boys were thinking today.
"Nothing is over. This is a first step, a very important step. Now we have a strange, rather long break. Brighton are waiting."
On Ajax getting too easily behind Liverpool: "I have to look back. I think we handled that very well, in this situation no, but that will always happen in football.
"If Ali [Alisson] has to stop, something went wrong before.
"I understand that we talk about small details but for us it's not that important because it's about giving up a chance, which can always happen, and then getting back to what it should have been. "
Jurgen Klopp was delighted his Liverpool players were able to 'make a completely different change' to get the better of Ajax at Anfield.
Liverpool needed a positive result after suffering a shock 4-1 loss to Napoli last week.
It wasn't going to be easy as Ajax made a great start to the new campaign and beat Rangers 4-0 last week.
Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp avoid 18 days of crisis questions by dropping 'very normal' players
The Reds got off to a promising start at Anfield as Mohamed Salah found the net for the first time in four games.
The ball popped for the Egypt international in the penalty area and he made no mistake with his left-footed shot.
Ajax did not fold and equalized on the half hour. Ex-Tottenham star Steven Bergwijn returned the ball to Mohammed Kudos in the penalty area.
The 22-year-old was in acres of space and his thunderous strike found the net from below the crossbar.
Liverpool and Ajax traded chances after the break, but it was the hosts who put the pressure on towards the end.
They took the opportunity to find a winner in the 89th minute. Joel Matip forced the ball over the line with his head after being trapped by Konstantinos Tsimikas.
The 2-1 victory puts Liverpool top of Group A. But Napoli will be three points clear if they beat Rangers on Wednesday night.
Klopp said after the game that Liverpool 'played a lot of good things against tough opposition':
“I think everyone could see that we understood and had to put a completely different change in the game. The boys did that,” Klopp told BT Sport >.
"We played a lot of good things against tough opposition. Scored the first goal and should have scored more goals, especially from set pieces.
"I'm not sure it was their first attack, but Ajax didn't have many. That's how it is in our situation, anything can happen, but it was an incredible strike from [Mohammed ] Kudus.
"It's like another test. Everyone hopes you're going in the right direction and then you get another setback. You could see the impact of it.
"The pressing before the goal was much better than after the goal. Only a yard or two, but if we press, we have to do it right."
He added: "I'm not picky, in that sense [about Matip scoring]. It was a great celebration that showed just about everything the boys were thinking today.
"Nothing is over. This is a first step, a very important step. Now we have a strange, rather long break. Brighton are waiting."
On Ajax getting too easily behind Liverpool: "I have to look back. I think we handled that very well, in this situation no, but that will always happen in football.
"If Ali [Alisson] has to stop, something went wrong before.
"I understand that we talk about small details but for us it's not that important because it's about giving up a chance, which can always happen, and then getting back to what it should have been. "
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