‘We deserve the three points’: Jurgen Klopp praises Diogo Jota’s ‘special’ second goal as Liverpool battle for crucial victory against Nottingham Forest – but says ‘we’ll see in a few weeks’ if the Reds can secure a spot in the top can get four
Jurgen Klopp claims his side ‘earned’ the three points after having to work hard during their 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest as they launched a late attack to secure a top-four spot.
Diogo Jota was the star during the match. Picking up where he left off last week at Elland Road, he scored a string of goals to continue his new found form.
Neco Williams and Morgan Gibbs-White both scored past Allison to make it 2–2 heading into the 70th minute.
But Mohamed Salah again proved to be the game winner for the Reds, grabbing a winner in the 70th minute to lift Liverpool to sixth in the league, putting them within six points of Newcastle, who are last in the table. occupied the Champions League.
The German manager admitted after the game that while his side were not in the top four at the moment, we would have to wait and see whether the Merseyside team would qualify for European qualification in a few weeks.
Jurgen Klopp has said ‘we’ll see in a few weeks’ if Liverpool can make it into the top four
Liverpool were put to work by Nottingham Forest today, but eventually grabbed a crucial 3-2 win
Klopp also praised Diogo Jota (right) who scored his fourth goal in two games earlier today
“Frankly top four at the moment, we have nothing to do with it, we’ll see in a few weeks,” Klopp told BBC Match of the Day after the game. We have no influence on the rest.
“We take it game by game and we have West Ham next, which is very difficult and then we go from there, but it will be difficult again, but I’m glad we got all three points again.”
But it was a tough game for Liverpool, who had to work hard for the three points, especially struggling with the defense against Forest’s set piece and their throw-in attacks.
Klopp continued of the game: “It was a tough game against a low block, super tough first half, we didn’t create much, but we didn’t give much away either, which is important.
“You always need a positive start to the game and when you are positive you can control it. Diogo Jota had a huge chance from the start of the game, but then the throw-ins came into play and it became really difficult.
“But all the goals came from set pieces, which is strange. We deserve the three points, that’s the most important thing.’
It was also another standout performance for Jota, who has now scored four goals in two league appearances for the Reds, having failed to score in his nine previous appearances for the side.
Jota (right) has now scored four goals in his last two league games for Liverpool
“That’s what goals can do,” said Klopp. They give you a boost and confidence. He did miss a sitter and that was the easiest of them all, but the second goal was very special.’
On Liverpool fighting: “I liked that we stayed in the game and all that chaos around the throw-ins that you have to try and avoid.
“We couldn’t solve too many situations properly, but other than that I am very satisfied with many things.
“We gave away two goals too easily and in a game like this you have to have possession. You don’t have to force it and sometimes we forced it.’
More to follow…