Sunday 30 October 2016 10:34, UK
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is still eyeing improvements despite his side earning a 4-2 victory against Crystal Palace and going joint-top of the Premier League.
In a topsy-turvy game at Selhurst Park, Emre Can put the visitors ahead on 16 minutes before a defensive error saw James McArthur equalise for the Eagles not long after.
Dejan Lovren headed the Reds back in front just after the 20-minute mark but McArthur was on the scoresheet again to head the hosts back level.
Joel Matip netted his first Liverpool goal just before half-time and Roberto Firmino rounded off the scoring in the second half to make it an 11th consecutive unbeaten game for the Anfield side.
The win sees the Reds move onto 23 points, level with Arsenal and Man City at the top of the table, and while Klopp did praise the performance of his side, he revealed his frustration with certain aspects of their display.
"I was not too happy with the start, not clear enough, not direct enough. Good football-wise, but not how it should be," he told a post match press conference.
"Then we scored nice goals and created unbelievable chances. We really could've scored more, I think everybody agrees with this.
"I think their first goal especially was a present, and the second goal was not good defending and at the end a good header, so that opened the game. Of course, the atmosphere then was really intense.
"At the beginning of the game, we were not clear enough, we didn't play football enough. That's a problem, so it was still a wild game and we invested a lot.
"Everything could've happened in this game, but I don't think anyone could say it was not a deserved win, so all good from our side.
"Since I've been at Liverpool I've been happy with the character of my boys. That was never a question for me, but it's still football and you cannot strike back every day.
"You should not come in situations like this too often but we're good enough to find a solution in situations like this. 2-0 would've been better for half-time than 3-2, but now everything is good."
Liverpool have still only managed to keep one clean sheet in the Premier League this season, and their defensive frailties were exposed once again at Selhurst Park.
But Klopp remained calm when asked about his back line, and backed his defenders to come good as the season continues.
"We will sort the defence - what then happens, we will see. They can defend really well. I know after this game that everyone will talk about this," he added.
"Inside a football team, you are not in the dressing room saying 'you are a really bad defender' and 'you are the goalkeeper, where are you?' and all of those things.
"They are all human beings, we work on it and I am completely convinced about the quality. If they make mistakes and stay in the game, then it's a very good test for them - and they stood in the game [tonight].
"I am happy with the reaction, not with the situation, not with the start of the game, that's what we have to work on. But I am happy with the reaction. So, I am fine, we will work on it and then we will see where it leads us to."
