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Liverpool logo
Premier League | Gameweek 32
Mar 31, 2019 at 4.30pm UK
 
Spurs logo

2-1

Firmino (16'), Alderweireld (90' og.)
FT(HT: 1-0)
Moura (70')

Jurgen Klopp: 'Liverpool got lucky in Tottenham Hotspur win'

Klopp: 'Liverpool got lucky in Spurs win'
© Reuters
Toby Alderweireld's late own goal gave the Reds victory.

Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool had won ugly and got lucky – but was happy to take that after their last-gasp victory over Tottenham.

The title-chasing Reds reclaimed top spot in the Premier League – albeit having played a game more than Manchester City – thanks to an injury-time own goal at Anfield.

Toby Alderweireld was the unfortunate player to turn into his own net after Hugo Lloris failed to hold a Mohamed Salah header, handing Liverpool a 2-1 win.

Manager Klopp said: “Of course it was a lucky punch, the header and the ball rolls in. But I told the boys after the game, there are 500,000 different ways to win a football game and today was rather ugly. No problem, we take that!

“Without a bit of luck you cannot be in the position we are in. It’s not possible. The boys work so hard, I think they deserve a bit of lucky. I am obviously very happy about the result.”

Liverpool had led at half-time after a 16th-minute header from Roberto Firmino but Spurs recovered after the break and claimed an equaliser in the 70th minute through Lucas Moura.

Klopp felt he learned more about his side winning in the manner they did than if they had enjoyed a convincing victory.

The German said: “If you win 5-0 – I don’t think that would have been possible today – it can lead you on the wrong path.

“People always the 100 per cent package. We have to find a way to win games much more often than in the past. Until now it worked. It is all good.

“If you go through the season of other teams, you will find these moments as well.

“For all the points we have now, we worked really hard. It is not important when you score but what it is on the scoresheet afterwards. Today it is a nearly perfect result for us.

“Momentum is not a coincidence, it is something you take, you keep and you use. That helped today obviously.”

Van Dijk played a key role is forcing Sissoko to miss a great chance to give Spurs the lead
Van Dijk played a key role is forcing Sissoko to miss a great chance to give Spurs the lead (Martin Rickett/PA)

Defender Virgil Van Dijk appeared to suffer a knock in the latter stages and will be assessed.

Klopp said: “I don’t know if he twisted it or it was a knock, but he was walking into interviews with a big ice pack. I hope it is nothing serious but I don’t know yet.”

Spurs’ defeat was their fourth in five games and left them hanging onto third place in the table on goal difference only with two other teams just a point behind.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino, however, was pleased with his side’s performance.

Pochettino, who only saw the winning goal on TV due to a touchline ban, said: “My reaction is that is football. I think you should win the game but if you don’t score and after you concede, what can you do? Nothing.

“The most important thing was to recover our feelings. The second half we dominated and we played much better than Liverpool. Overall I think we were better than Liverpool.

“I am very disappointed but, in the same time, I am proud of the performance. We deserved a little bit more but playing that way you will be rewarded for the football.”

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


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