‘That was always clear!’ – Klopp on Liverpool not relying on Salah’s goals

“It’s still early, five games”.

Klopp told reporters before Liverpool’s game against Spurs (via ESPN).

Liverpool extended their winning start to the season yesterday with a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley. They could and should have suffered a heavier defeat.

Erik Lamela’s late goal in stoppage time gave them some hope and Tottenham will feel hard done by as Michael Oliver chose to wave away penalty appeals for Sadio Mane’s tackles on Heung Min-Son with literally the last kick of the game.

The best teams go out and win and that’s what we have shown today (against Tottenham).

Kane’s first half-chance was snuffed out by Trent Alexander-Arnold and it was nearly an hour before he seriously threatened – and even then, Kieran Trippier’s cross was too far in front of him and he was then unable to divert Christian Eriksen’s effort goalwards with an instinctive backheel.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino knew just how close his team came to snatching a point, despite being dominated throughout most of the match. Erik Lamela scored a consolation goal for the hosts in stoppage time.

The only cloud hanging over an otherwise successful afternoon in London was an eye injury sustained by Firmino during a 75th-minute clash with Jan Vertonghen that saw Spurs awarded a free-kick.

“I am not going to complain because after three victories it was all fantastic and now after two defeats it’s not a disaster”, Pochettino said.

You know only too well yourselves how you need a proper goalkeeper – it’s already three set-piece goals conceded in two games without Lloris.

“When Lucas Moura hit the post [at 1-0 in the second half] it was the key moment to get the confidence that the team needed in this type of game”.

All seven of those have now departed Anfield in one way or another and it is remarkable to think those players were being relied on in such a big match in the Premier League.

Clearly, global players can not be given the weekend off in such circumstances, but surely it would be wise to ensure that such important fixtures as Tottenham vs. We played the type of football that is really nice for a manager. He was not even at his best for Watford against Manchester United, but was still one of the most impressive players on the park.