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Klopp hails 'exceptional' mentality as Liverpool go 25 points clear

Jurgen Klopp says the mentality of his players is exceptional. The Reds sit top of the Premier Le...



Klopp hails 'exceptional' ment...
Soccer

Klopp hails 'exceptional' mentality as Liverpool go 25 points clear

Jurgen Klopp says the mentality of his players is exceptional.

The Reds sit top of the Premier League table with a 25 point lead this evening following a 1-0 win over Norwich at Carrow Road this evening.

Like so many other games this season, Liverpool found a way to win this game when it looked like they may not.

Sadio Mané came back from injury and came on to score the winner in the 78th minute.

With Storm Dennis sweeping across the UK conditions were difficult and Liverpool particularly looked far from their best in the first half.

Manager Jurgen Klopp recognised this at full-time, speaking to Sky Sports.

"It was a difficult game for different reasons.

"The organisation of the opponent and how we played in the first half made it tricky for us but the good thing for us was if you don't play too well in the first half it is easier to improve.

"So we improved, immediately everything changed and we were much more compact.

"We could win the balls back more in counter-pressing situations, pass the ball better through our position in midfield which was better and we brought in Fabinho and Sadio [Mané].

"One was very important for the organisation and gave Hendo [Jordan Henderson] the freedom to be more involved offensively and Sadio was fresh and made the difference which was nice and we could win the game which was outstanding."

Yet again Liverpool's relentless work rate was to be seen in the second half as they looked for a winner.

Klopp had nothing but praise for his players in this regard.

"The mentality of the boys is absolutely exceptional.

"I could see it in each of their faces, nobody was nervous. We didn't love the game but more and more we liked it and you could see we enjoyed it more and more and you could see it was clear if one team would score it was us.

"They [Norwich] had moments but even in our protection we were much better because we didn't have to defend the counter-attacks in our own box, we won the ball at the half-way line and that changed everything, you can immediately accelerate again.

"It's really all about the character of these wonderful football players that makes all the difference."

Unusually for the German manager, he was almost lost for words when asked about their phenomenal lead at the top of the table which has reached 25 points with three months of the season left to play. It's so insane.

"I don't really understand it to be honest, it's difficult, I've never had that before, I have no clue how it happened really, we are just focused on what we are doing and it feels really good. "

Klopp was also asked after the game for his opinion on Manchester City's ban from UEFA competitions for two years for breaches of Financial Fair Play regulations.

"It was a shock yesterday when it came out, complete wow, and the only thing I can say is I'm a football coach and I can only speak about football.

"What Pep and City have done is exceptional. About all the rest I have no idea, what happened, who did what and stuff like this but I can imagine at the moment it's really difficult in this moment it's difficult for the sportspeople to understand.

"You believe the people you work with and I really feel for Pep and the players. They will appeal and see what happens then but it's obviously serious but the football they play was exceptional and will be exceptional."

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Jurgen Klopp Liverpool Premier League