Klopp: It was a good and necessary performance against Tottenham  

Liverpool ended a five game winless streak with an impressive 3-1 victory over Tottenham on Thursday evening.

The Reds had only scored one goal in their last five league games and had been held scoreless in their last four fixtures.

Their superb 68 game unbeaten home record was ended last week by Burnley while they were defeated by bitter rivals Man United in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

While that loss was naturally galling, a patch of blue sky emerged in the fact that they looking better in attack with Mo Salah looking exceptionally impressive.

With the Red Devils, Leicester and Everton all dropping points during this midweek round, it was a golden opportunity for the Redmen to make up some lost ground.

And do that they did in a fine and composed performance with goals to Roberto Firmino, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Sadio Mane as they picked up just their third win on the road from 10 games this season.

As has become custom, the win did not come without some setbacks with Joel Matip once again picking up a injury believed to be an ankle ligament issue.

He was replaced at half time by Nathaniel Phillips who did a very solid job alongside Jordan Henderson to see the game out.

While Fabinho did not take his place in the heart of the defence after ‘feeling something’ in training and the decision was made not to risk the Brazilian.

Jurgen Klopp was a happy man after the victory which sees the Reds climb up to fourth place and explained what was the difference between this game and their recent performance.

“Obviously the decisions in the last moments. We just kept going, we had a big, big chance very early with wonderful play and Sadio in a really good position missed the chance. 

"I think pretty much the next situation, if I’m right, was the goal Tottenham ‘scored’ – that was the moment when you think, ‘Oh, here we go again!’ But then it was offside, it didn’t count, and the boys just played a really good game.

“We made great runs, scored obviously the first goal in a perfect moment pretty much, scored the goal [and] could go into half-time in the dressing room. We got aware of the struggle of Joel Matip with his ankle, so no chance to play on, so then we tried to tell the boys that it would make sense to do a couple of things again. 

"They put a proper shift in. It was a brave performance in a game against a counter-attacking monster, which they are, and that makes it even more special. For tonight, it was really good.

A day barely goes by without Klopp being asked whether he will dip into the transfer market to look for options with Matip seemingly set for another stint on the sidelines.

Once again the German kept his cards close to his chest.

“You can imagine that we think about everything, of course. We thought the whole time, we think the whole time, it’s about doing the right thing. I’m not picky or whatever… but we need to find the right player. 

"We have players still. Not a lot, to be honest, in the defence line it is incredible what’s happening there, it’s really incredible. But that’s it.”

The other main narrative regarding Liverpool during this poor run of form has been  to use the many assets of Thiago in the best way.

Klopp said that the Spaniard has had a exceptionally difficult start to live at his new club but he is getting better game by game.

"Today we played a slightly different position, worked together with Millie and Gini on [the] six really well. That was a proper, proper performance. I know Thiago can be much better than tonight, but it was just an important step for all of us. 

“The situation with Thiago was not easy: he came to Liverpool late, then ill, then injured, then playing immediately in a very decisive position. We thought for tonight it might make sense to play him slightly higher on the pitch.

The last word goes to the manager on how he would unwind after a victory.

“In an away game it’s the only moment where we have a beer. I don’t remember the last time I had a beer on the bus after an away game.”