Jurgen Klopp lauds Diogo Jota’s ‘special’ goal as Liverpool gain crucial win in top-four charge

Jurgen Klopp claims his side ‘deserved’ the three points after they were made to work hard during their 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest as they make a late charge to secure a berth in the top-four. 

Diogo Jota was the star man during the match, picking up where he left off at Elland Road last week, scoring a brace of goals to continue his new found form. 

Neco Williams and Morgan Gibbs-White both struck goals past Allison to bring the score up to 2-2 heading into the 70th minute.  

But Mohamed Salah once again proved to be the match winner for the Reds, snagging a 70th minute winner to move Liverpool up to sixth in the league, putting them within six points of Newcastle who occupy the final Champions League place. 

The German manager admitted after the game that while his side were not in the top four at present, we would have to wait and see as to whether the Merseyside outfit would be in the mix for European qualification in a few weeks time. 

Jurgen Klopp has said ‘we will see in a couple of weeks’ if Liverpool can make a top-four berth 

Liverpool were made to work by Nottingham Forest today but ultimately took a crucial 3-2 win

Klopp also lauded Diogo Jota (right) who scored his fourth goal in two games earlier today 

‘Honestly top four at the moment, we have nothing to do with it we will see about that in a few weeks,’ Klopp told BBC Match of the Day after the match. ‘The rest we have no influence. 

‘We take it game by game and we have West Ham next which is really tough and then we go from there but it will be tough again, but I am happy we got all three points again.’ 

But it was a difficult match for Liverpool who were made to work hard for the three points  

Speaking on the game, Klopp continued: ‘It was a difficult game against a low block, super difficult first half, we didn’t create a lot, but didn’t give a lot away, which is important.

‘You always need a positive start to the game and if you are positive you can control it. Diogo Jota had a massive chance from the set-piece, but then the throw-ins come into the game and that became really tricky. 

‘But all the goals came from set pieces which is strange. We deserve the three points which is the most important thing.’

It was also a sign of the return to form for Jota, who has now scored four goals in two league matches for the Reds after he had failed to score in his nine previous outings for the side.   

‘That’s what goals can do,’ Klopp said. ‘They give you a boost and confidence. He did miss a sitter which was the easiest out of them all, but the second goal was very special.’

On Liverpool showing a fight: ‘I liked that we stayed in the game and all this chaos around the throw-ins which you have to try to avoid.

‘Too many situations, we couldn’t clear properly but apart from that I am really pleased with a lot of things.

‘We gave away two goals too easy and in a game like this you have to control possession. You don’t have to force it and sometimes we forced it.’

More to follow…