Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has claimed that his side defended "really well" during their 4-3 victory over Arsenal on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
The Reds came from a goal down to move into a 4-1 lead at the Emirates Stadium, before holding off a second-half comeback to claim maximum points in North London.
However, despite conceding three goals, Mignolet, who also saved a penalty in the first half, compared his side's performance to their 4-0 pre-season victory over a Barcelona side that included Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
"I don't think it was our mistakes which led to the goals being conceded. I thought we defended really well, just like we did against Barcelona at Wembley. For the first goal we were a bit under the cosh and the second goal was unfortunate - a deflection we couldn't have done anything about. The third goal was a set piece where they took the free kick early and we weren't quite organised," he told the Liverpool Echo.
"When we made it 4-1 we needed to make sure we didn't concede but one goal can change a game. That's what happened with the deflection. The crowd got behind them again and they got a boost from that. But we kept our heads and got back to playing at the level we were at in the opening 20 minutes of the second half. Keeping the ball like that takes the pressure away from us. That's what we need to be doing throughout the 90 minutes.
"I was pleased with the penalty save. We had studied where Arsenal players put their penalties but it was difficult because their normal penalty takers weren't on the pitch. It happened to be [Theo] Walcott and luckily I picked the right spot. That's how we started a few years ago against Stoke when we won and went on to challenge for the Premier League title. The most important thing is that we have started with three points.
"There are a lot of things we can learn from this game but it's great to start with a victory, especially with it coming at the Emirates, a ground where we haven't taken many points in the last few years. As a team we have lots of attacking options now. A lot of players with pace who can make the difference going forward. The second half at Arsenal was like how we played against Barcelona. We can build on this."
Liverpool's next match sees them take on newly-promoted Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.
Barney Corkhill
