Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has admitted that his side "lost the plot" during the second half of their 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
Mohamed Salah's well-taken goal midway through the first half proved to be the difference at Anfield as Liverpool maintained their 100% start to the season, building on wins over West Ham United and Crystal Palace.
However, Brighton almost fought their way back into the match during the closing stages, and Klopp acknowledged that his side's performance tailed off as the contest wore on.
"My whole life I have found a 1-0 a very pleasing result. I like it a lot but I am really happy after a 4-0 to be honest! In this early part of the season it was clear – we have to come into the season. West Ham was really good but then you come into another situation where you have to fight really hard and we did that. At Crystal Palace sometimes it looked like 'Yes!' and other times 'Hmmm' but we won it 2-0," he told reporters.
"In the second half [against Brighton] we lost the plot. The freshness, the intensity, the legs – all these things. We had outstanding counter-pressing situations in the first half. In the second half we had none. We were still around but we didn't win the balls. It's not because the boys didn't want it but because they felt the intensity.
"After winning 4-0 we didn't run around Melwood for the rest of the week with our arms in the air. We will not do it this week. We will prepare for Leicester. We have a lot of things to improve but it's clear that still winning on a not perfect day gives you different opportunities. That is clear.
"I've spoken about this a lot – if we are good then we win, if we are average then very often we lost. Usually we win or we draw when we are good and lose most of the time when we are average and that is what we have to change. We want to be brilliant all the time but, if that doesn't happen, that doesn't mean we don't go for a result. We fought for this result and so I am really happy."
Liverpool will look to make it four wins from four at the start of the new season when they face Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
Barney Corkhill
