Jurgen Klopp : Who needs clean sheets when you get 3 points?
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was more than content to let go of a clean sheet and a seat at the top of the Premier League table, even if temporary, for an electric Anfield atmosphere and a win against West Brom. The Reds led by two goals until West Brom hit back to make it 2-1 in the 82nd minute.
A wonderful first-half show from the team had seen Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane score one apiece before Gareth McAuley scored off a set-piece for West Brom. Klopp, however, insisted he was happy with trading the top spot for the electric levels of excitement of the Anfield crowd.
"Who needs clean sheets when you get three points?" Klopp told BT Sport.
''The atmosphere was outstanding, it was Anfield at its best. I've been here a little more than a year, but that was the best performance of the crowd in a non-European game."
He added: "Yes, in dreamland then you win always 4-0, 5-0 and the crowd can go earlier and people can go and do something more serious.
"But this game tonight created one of the best atmospheres because it was exciting towards the end. We created the chances and we didn't use the chances. In this moment it is better we won 2-1 than 3-0 or 4-0, but all good.
"We have 20 points. It was not possible we get more tonight."
When he was asked why he did not go for a 2-0 win that would have seen Liverpool as league leaders, the German joked: "Who wants to be top in October?"
However, the 82nd-minute goal showed, once again, Liverpool's vulnerability from corners.
"The plan was to avoid set-pieces. They are so effective, they really are role models off set-pieces," Klopp said.
"It felt like there were 15 West Brom players in the box.
"(I have) absolutely no problem with the goal we conceded tonight. I would like to have it that nobody can score against us but first we have to have it that nobody can create chances."
Albion manager Tony Pulis billed the Reds as potential champions.
He said: "Their front five are as good as anything in the league. They have got a free run at it this year. They are not in Europe, which is draining.
"Last time (that was the case) they came close with Brendan, he had a free run. This team has a chance."
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