Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk admits the workforce was most likely responsible of attempting too exhausting to compensate for the absence of a number of star gamers within the 4-1 victory over Luton.
Forwards Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah have been the newest added to an absentee checklist, which had grown to 11 senior gamers and left supervisor Jurgen Klopp wanting choices, actually of match-winners, as his bench comprised three defenders and 4 academy gamers.
The likes of Harvey Elliott and Cody Gakpo, and to a lesser extent Luis Diaz, all struggled up entrance within the first half, however 4 objectives in a powerful second-half comeback after going behind within the twelfth minute re-established a four-point benefit on the prime of the Premier League.
Klopp’s aspect have gained now 22 factors from dropping positions this season, greater than another workforce.
“First half with the very first probability [for Diaz] we may have modified the sport, however we have been a bit rushed within the last third,” stated Van Dijk.
“Clearly the way in which we turned it round was credit score to the boys.
“Staying calm is probably the most tough factor to do, particularly within the scenario the place we’re at; everybody needs to point out themselves and play their greatest recreation ever, and you must attempt to keep calm and discover the correct answer.
“The primary half was a bit rushed and that’s why we struggled slightly bit in that sense.
“Being 1-0 down is rarely good, however the way in which we bounced again is sweet to see.”
Elliott, on his a hundredth look, scored the workforce’s a hundredth objective of the season with the late fourth to finish his night time on a excessive after coming in for some vociferous criticism from the gang.
Nevertheless, Klopp – who remonstrated with a fan who appeared to focus on Elliott after yet one more cross went astray within the first half – defended the 20-year-old.
“Prime efficiency. And Harvey is a prime participant; 100 video games for Liverpool FC in not the worst interval of the membership’s historical past, the place you can not afford gamers who [just] play the place, that’s a correct signal,” he added.
“He had not an ideal first half. There was a cross with Lucho; I noticed he needs to play the cross as an alternative of perhaps he can go in a one-on-one scenario.
“However the response within the second half is the primary distinction, that’s the factor. That made this efficiency the efficiency and I’m so completely satisfied for him.
“I don’t lose persistence in these moments, I do know that it’s a problem for younger boys.
“When every thing is nice, they’re tremendous skills. When issues don’t go effectively, you must present up. And that’s what he’s studying increasingly.
“And with 100 video games below his belt, everyone knows he will certainly play one other 100, 200, 300 – for those who ask him, 500 – for this membership.”
