“I think we’ve done not too bad until now, ” Klopp said.
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Both clubs progressed through to the semi-finals of the League Cup during the week, and after being asked about the possibility of facing the Manchester giants, Klopp laughs off their threat, stating “We have no problem with Manchester City”. Goodness we’ve missed him.
Origi’s display eclipsed that of his strike partner Daniel Sturridge, who marked his first start under Klopp with a brace that sparked the game’s turnaround after Sadio Mane’s first-minute header for the home side.
As with the first, it was the type of thrilling goal that Liverpool produced with such regularity during their march to the verge of the Premier League title two seasons ago, but which had not been seen since then, before the arrival of Klopp.
“We showed that (in the) second half against Manchester City (in Saturday’s 3-1 away defeat as the team vastly improved after half-time) and that’s all about ourselves. He understands you will make mistakes and not play so well in a game but if you leave blood and sweat on the pitch for him – that is what he likes most“. Maybe he can be better. “It was a good decision [to select him], I have to say”.
Liverpool’s manager was enthusiastic about his team’s performance on the day, and is looking ahead one match at a time. “If we had won that, I would say it was okay”. It’s no problem if you’re woken up by the opponent, but it happens too often.
The League Cup continues to be Bogdan’s best hope of game time this season, and after his penalty heroics in the last round, the Hungarian ‘stopper is surely nailed-on to start Wednesday’s quarter-final with Southampton.
“I’ve had a few finals in my life and I know there was never an easy one”.
“The individual qualities of these players in big teams will punish you for that”.
The winger cut in from the right flank and found his teammate in space, with Origi blasting past Stekelenburg to put the game beyond doubt with just over 20 minutes to play.
“It is not a miracle what he has done”, said Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana, who used to captain Southampton.
“The second half is my responsibility”.
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“When I came to the club, I knew already that we would lose some good players, and we lost, after last season, Schneiderlin and Clyne, important players for the team”, the manager was quoted as saying by the British media.
