Klopp admits Champions League triumph instilled never-say-die attitude

Jurgen Klopp hailed Liverpool's powers of recovery as victory over West Ham pushed his record-chasing side one step closer to their first Premier League title. 

Liverpool moved to within 12 points of being crowned champions after coming from behind to beat the Hammers 3-2 at Anfield on Monday Night Football.

Klopp hailed his players as "special" following their record-equalling 18th straight Premier League victory - claiming the European triumph in Madrid last June helped instil a never-say-die attitude in his players.

He said: "The Champions League final [against Tottenham] helped a lot to know we are able to [keep winning].

"I said after, it was the worst final I played with a team but we won! We learned in that season to do the right things again and again.

"It's a long time ago but we had to work on that - consistency, staying in the game, using different situations.

"The set-pieces brought us back tonight. Getting the momentum back again - because we had a couple after each other. There were so many things we could do better but to reach this number of games, you cannot be brilliant all the time.

"We just try to make the best of what we have. I am pleased with the attitude we showed. We lost a little bit of patience in the first half with what we did offensively.

"We wanted it a little too much, but we were forced to stay calm. The best goal we scored didn't count but sometimes you have to squeeze it and that's what we did tonight."

West Ham had come back from a goal down to place themselves in a position of recording some history of their own; victory over a team with 52 more points would have been a Premier League record, but Liverpool's superior class eventually told.

On equalling Manchester City's record winning run, Klopp added: "I never thought it would be broken or equalled. We did it and I cannot believe it happened to be honest.

"When we equalized the stadium was rocking and that helps us. Whatever will happen this season is an effort of all of us. I could not be more thankful or appreciate the support we get.

"You see City playing and this is the team in world football that are able to win all their other games. We have to keep winning. We need to be ready and it is a home game for Watford [next]. It is not about shining but the hardest work. As long as the boys are ready to work hard I am not concerned but there is still a job to do."