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Klopp hits back at Liverpool critics after win over ‘real monster’ Leipzig

Jurgen Klopp - Liverpool
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The Reds boss was pleased to see his team silence the naysayers following a convincing performance on their return to Europe.

Liverpool ‘needed’ the victory against RB Leipzig, insists Jurgen Klopp.

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane struck within a gap of five minutes in the second half to help Liverpool get a 2-0 ‘away’ victory in the Champions League Round of 16 1st leg against Leipzig.

It was indeed a much-needed win for the Reds who have struggled for form in recent weeks.

The Premier League champions, who not long ago were a model of consistency, entered Tuesday night’s last-16 tie on the back of three successive defeats.

However, little did their form matter as 2019 Champions League winners produced a convincing performance and recorded a healthy win that leaves their German opponents with an uphill battle for the return leg at Anfield.

“It was the game we wanted, the game we needed,” Klopp told BT Sport after the full-time whistle.

“Leipzig can be a real monster, they overrun teams, they are really physical and tonight we controlled them in an exceptional way. We played a really good game and we got the result we deserved.

“We defended really well and had good recovery. It was a tough game with only two days since the last one. It’s only the first leg, we know that but a lot of people were waiting for us to slip again.

“For two years we were really good and this year we have problems, that’s fine. A lot of people expected us to slip again but the boys didn’t.”

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