Klopp insists Liverpool have not lost any sparkle after Huddersfield win

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp  defended his side against suggestions they have lost some of their sparkle, declaring that they could not have won ‘6-0’ this season because the opposition has been simply too good.

‘People compare us with the games we won 6-0,’ he said after the narrow win at Huddersfield. ‘No opponent this season has given us a chance to win 6-0.

‘People think “where’s the football?” It was not that bad [today.] But it’s the first period in my life that we win… average matches. We cannot write a book tonight about to win trophies.

'But there is not one way to win football games. There are different ways. I would prefer the spectacular way but I would take [this win] completely.’

The ‘new’ Liverpool have introduced a defensive rigour which they did not have before. The mere three goals they have conceded in their opening nine league matches is their best ever in the Premier League.

‘We had to improve,’ Klopp said. ‘That’s what we did. The basis we’ve created is brilliant – 23 points: I don’t think I ever had that after nine games.’

The German acknowledged that his team relied too much on luck, as Huddersfield struck the post and had a penalty appeal turned down.

‘We don’t want to use the post to defend to be honest,’ Klopp said. ‘If it happens we take it but it’s lucky and with the handball, another penalty. So you need luck only to have conceded three goals. Maybe [Manchester] City don’t need it? I don’t know. But we need it.’

Huddersfield manager David Wagner rued his own team’s luck. ‘If it it’s the case that luck (evens out) over the season then we’ll have a lot of luck in the next 29 games,’ he said.