Jurgen Klopp admitted that Liverpool have not been in “dreamland” this season but was pleased with the way they dominated Arsenal.
Liverpool returned from the international break on a high note. Diogo Jota scored a brace either side of a neat finish from Mohamed Salah in the second half to earn a 3-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium. It moves Klopp’s men to within two points of the top four.
The win came on the same day that it became mathematically impossible for Liverpool to retain their title. They have known for a long time that such a scenario would be unlikely, but didn’t show any sign of disappointment at it becoming official.
Instead, they produced a strong performance – particularly in the second half – to put pressure on the sides that they can still catch.
Arsenal were never really in the game and Klopp believed that was because of his own team’s performance.
He told Match of the Day: “As a package it was a good performance. We finished our situations off.
“Arsenal were not really in the game for the whole 95 minutes. That was down to us.
“We had to keep going and keep the momentum. We had to be careful with it and treat it well.
“I wasn’t frustrated at half-time. We had to work hard and when you do that you have a good chance of winning.
“We’re obviously not in dreamland this year. When people talk about you in the wrong way, you want to react. It was a sensational cross by Trent [Alexander-Arnold] for the goal.”
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Klopp glad to have players back to full fitness
Now, Liverpool will have to keep up their momentum for the final eight games of the Premier League season. They also have the Champions League to contend with.
Fortunately for Klopp, a number of his squad players are coming back at just the right time.
He added to Sky Sports: “Very good. A top, top game.
“Our counter-pressing was at the highest level which is very important. In general, the defending from the whole team looked exactly as it should.
“I’m really happy with the whole performance and more so the three points.
“It is the first time in the season – Neco Williams came back and had a slight knock – but apart from the long-term injuries, all the boys involved tonight were fit and in really good shape. We could have lined up with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, or Naby Keita or Xherdan Shaqiri is in really good shape.
“So these kinds of things, it is the first time we have had that. Hopefully that will help us.”
READ MORE: Super-sub Diogo Jota continues scoring streak as Liverpool pummel Arsenal
