Jurgen Klopp delivers verdict on Nick Pope red card and Liverpool goals against Newcastle
Jurgen Klopp made a playful remark about Liverpool’s victory over Newcastle United, joking that it took “six months” in the making, as the win puts them within six points of the Champions League positions.
This season has been challenging for Liverpool, but they have now secured back-to-back victories against Everton and Newcastle, which has put them back in contention for a top-four finish.
Newcastle currently holds the fourth spot, but Liverpool, the only team to defeat them in the Premier League this season, secured a league double over Eddie Howe’s side, with Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo scoring in the first half as a result of impressive team play, including lofted through-balls.
Klopp expressed his admiration for both goals during his post-match press conference. “Yeah, six months unfortunately,” he joked when asked if the manner of the goals was something Liverpool had specifically worked on. “I don’t know exactly how often the boys played in that formation, and that is very important.
“You can train but you need the games you have to work on details. I loved the goals, the way we moved, not offside, the finish, the vision of the pass.
“Trent top pass, super control Darwin, super goal. Then the second goal, really good link-up play and then the chip from Mo to Cody. Top goals, honestly.
“I think we knew how intense the start of Newcastle is, especially at home. You have to be ready for that. It was a bit wild. But in the moment we controlled it and we scored incredible goals, top goals.”
Liverpool had an opportunity to lead 3-0 by halftime when a mistake by Nick Pope almost resulted in an open goal for Mohamed Salah. However, the Newcastle goalkeeper recovered by intentionally handling the ball outside his area, resulting in a red card.
While Klopp believed his team should have capitalized on their numerical advantage, he expressed that he would have preferred for Pope to not have been sent off.
“The possible third goal, his hand, I didn’t see it, the red card,” he said. “I would have preferred a goal because I think it was possible if Mo gets on the ball. It is pretty likely that we score there.
“And playing against 11 because it was the moment where we lost a bit of rhythm. Because of the amount of set pieces we gave away, that was always a threat and there is no advantage 11 vs 10 when the ball is on the corner flag or wherever. There is no advantage and there was far too many.
“We had moments where we could have scored the third or fourth one. We didn’t. Once unlucky, once, I still don’t understand it. A square ball for Mo and he goes down.
“I didn’t see it back but in the moment it looked for me like a penalty. I don’t know. But we didn’t score and it keeps the game exciting.
“Credit to Newcastle, they put a proper shift in and fought really hard. It was exciting until the end but we got the three points and are very happy about them.”
Jurgen Klopp delivers verdict on Nick Pope red card and Liverpool goals against Newcastle
