Jurgen Klopp\u2019s Liverpool juggernauts showed their true mettle, securing three points in an exemplary manner that should have made the Anfield faithful proud, according to the German boss.<\/p>\n
Klopp says LIverpool showed their supporters \u201cthe respect they deserve\u201d in beating Crystal Palace\u00a04-0 on Wednesday night as Anfield\u2019s first behind-closed-doors event saw the Reds move to within arm\u2019s length of a first league title in 30 years, neatly wrapping up a performance displaying discipline, hunger, intensity and quality from the runaway Premier League leaders.<\/p>\n
Goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, Fabinho and Sadio Mane sealed the Reds\u2019 joint-biggest home league win of the campaign.<\/p>\n
Liverpool will be officially crowned Premier League champions on Thursday night should their nearest rivals Manchester City\u00a0fail to beat Chelsea\u00a0at Stamford Bridge, but Klopp was happy just to savor the excellence of his team\u2019s display against a shell-shocked Palace.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cWe showed a lot, if not everything, which helped us into the position we are in.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore this part of the season, I said I wanted to see the best behind-closed-doors football ever. I don\u2019t know if we had that, but for sure it was the best counter-pressing behind closed doors ever!<\/p>\n
\u201cThe attitude, the passion we showed was exceptional, and we played some outstanding football. Usually in my job I have to calm things down and say we can improve \u2013 and we can improve \u2013 but that\u2019s not important tonight.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe showed our supporters the respect they deserve \u2013 that we can play like they are here even when they are not.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, they can push us to incredible things, and without them it is nothing. I never missed them more than I did tonight because imagine this game in front of 50,000 people, the emotions that would have been in the stadium. It would have been incredible!\u201d<\/p>\n
Klopp confirmed he would definitely be watching City\u2019s game at home tonight, but insists that he is still focused completely on his side\u2019s remaining games \u2013 including their trip to the Etihad next week.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will not watch it to prepare a celebration, but because we play against City a week later!\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd we play Chelsea as well, so this game is important to watch for plenty of reasons.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever happens tomorrow, we cannot influence. But I\u2019m pretty sure that when we play City, it is a must-watch for each football fan on this planet. Whatever is decided or not, it will be two really good teams facing each other. It will be pretty interesting, to be honest!\u201d<\/p>\n
In the meantime, Liverpool can be proud of a job well done. Even Roy Hodgson, the Palace manager, admitted his side could not cope with the Reds\u2019 energy, desire and relentless pressing.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou should not underestimate how much this team wants it,\u201d Klopp said. \u201cThis team really wants it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey want to fulfil the wishes of the people at home, really. We all have a common dream but we have to work for it.\u00a0 We have to work our way for it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t play like other teams but we can play pretty good stuff. That is what the boys did.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe game was exceptional. From talking about football, it was exceptional from so many points of view.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis game will last in my mind for a while. This is where we want to be. This is what we have to show against each and everybody. This is us.\u201d<\/p>\n
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