Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed his delight that his players were able to rectify their mistakes of the first half and be more clinical in the second of their 5-0 win over Swansea on Boxing Day.
Philippe Coutinho, captain in the absence of the injured Jordan Henderson, scored on his 200th appearance for the club after just six minutes but it was not until the second half that the floodgates opened.
Roberto Firmino scored either side of a brilliant strike from Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain completing the rout eight minutes from time.
‘Even in a not really good first half, we had enough chances to score two or three goals,’ Klopp said. ‘That should be enough.
‘I was not disappointed at half-time but we had to defend the situations better, we had to be more compact and in a few moments we were man-orientated, which is only allowed in our own box.
‘In the second half we were better. I think the first three goals were from counter-pressing situations, that’s good and it looks like when you see the result is 5-0 that it was an easy game but it wasn’t an easy game.’
Klopp admitted earning all three points required his side’s full attention but ultimately declared the result as ‘perfect’.
‘It was really hard work – I’ve no problem with that. I’m really happy with what we learned from the game.
‘It is a perfect result for us, nobody injured I don’t think. Important three points, five goals, clean sheet so it’s all good.’
