Saturday 29 July 2017 21:37, UK
Jurgen Klopp hailed the understanding between Philippe Coutinho and Mohamed Salah after Liverpool's 3-0 win over Hertha Berlin on Saturday.
The pair combined to score the final goal at the Olympiastadion, with Salah lobbing the goalkeeper after a brilliant ball over the defence from Coutinho, who was named captain for the match amid speculation over his future.
"I think players like this understand each other," said Liverpool manager Klopp. "It's a good thing with having players of this quality. I was pleased but it was what I expected.
"The pass was nice and the finish was not too bad also."
Salah was not the only summer signing to score in the win as Dominic Solanke netted the first goal of the match. Andrew Robertson also came on for his Liverpool debut, having joined from Hull.
And Klopp said: "The new players are maybe better than people thought they will be.
"I think we said early that we want to build on the squad from last year, and that's what we've tried to do. For the moment, we're really happy.
"We don't have many injuries now, which is the best news and if we can stay fit, we can be very strong. Unfortunately, the other teams are also really pretty strong in England, so we have no choice but to be at our highest."
Reflecting on Robertson's debut, Klopp said: "I think you could see exactly what he's good in and where he has to improve in 45 minutes. Speed, football-wise, he's flexible and good with crosses, that's really important. We are a dominant football team, or want to be a dominant football team, so we need players who can make the difference on the wing.
"He's good in defence but in one or two situations [he wasn't], but it's always like this. We left him alone, like we left Alberto Moreno alone in the first half, and then Hertha are too strong, they have too many options inside, outside, through the legs, whatever. He needs to improve but he's a really good boy with a lot of perspective. I'm happy to have him around."
Liverpool stay in Germany to face Bayern Munich on Tuesday, with their 2017/18 Premier League season starting against Watford on August 12, live on Sky Sports.
"We are not where we want to be yet, but that is what pre-season is for," added Klopp. "We have to work really hard now, because we've got a long, long journey ahead. In this moment, it's good that everyone looks really positive, in tune, and that's how it should be."
