Klopp praised the performance of his defence, which in the past has been identified as the weak link in his team.
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“We have a lot of players who can score goals and win the game for us”, added Wijnaldum.
Liverpool and Manchester City have been terrific going forward this season, while they have also been prone to mistakes and calamities at the back. Pep Guardiola’s side are clearly capable of outstanding play but the reverses against Tottenham (2-0 away) and Chelsea (3-1 at home) were cautionary episodes.
As for City, it was a generally disappointing night for Pep Guardiola even though he got some decent displays from the likes of Nicolas Otamendi and Pablo Zabaleta. I have not had any issues or problems within the camp.
“They are playing one game a week without Europe, (it) is easy”.
“We’re still in the title race”, says City left-back Gael Clichy. Manchester City, whom they host tomorrow, are bottom on 11 points. There are many things to fight for: the Premier League, the Champions League, the cup.
The manner of Sterling’s £49m departure from Anfield to City in July 2015 still rankles with Liverpool fans and he can again expect a similar reaction on Merseyside come Saturday evening. On Saturday, December 31, though, the two clubs will clash at Anfield.
The German even broke his glasses after being swamped by players celebrating their last-gasp victor in the 5-4 victory at Norwich City earlier this year.
Liverpool have scored 86 league goals in 2016 so far; their best tally in a calendar year since the 87 goals that they scored in 1985.
By contrast, they’ve conceded more goals (49) this year than Everton, West Brom, Southampton and Leicester as well as the other usual suspects. The two teams are closely matched on overall form but Southampton are unbeaten at home against teams below them and it is only their lack of goals that reduces confidence.
On the pitch, injuries have restricted Daniel Sturridge to a minor role in Klopp’s first-team plans this season, leading to speculation over the striker’s long-term future at Anfield.
It’s a hard game for both teams, but an exciting one.
Although Roberto Firmino, Lallana and Emre Can, were active and positive, the Reds were unable to turn their dominance into more than a couple of half-chances with Firmino failing to collect a fine through ball from Milner and Can seeing a long-range effort fly just wide.
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Put it altogether and the 4-1 win over Stoke at Anfield on Tuesday night was nearly a typical and expected Liverpool scoreline.
