Premier League: Klopp Reveals Why He Didn't Celebrate 1st Goal Before Liverpool Thrashed Manchester City

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp revealed that he did not celebrate their first goal, which was scored by defender Fabinho, during The Reds' 3-1 victory over arch-rivals Manchester City on Sunday.

Liverpool have boosted their chances of winning the Premier League as they are nine points clear of the reigning champions Man City, who have slipped to fourth place on the points table.

After Fabinho's 25 yard-goal, Mohamed Salah made it 2-0 with a fantastic header in at the far post from Andrew Robertson's clean cross. Soon after the match resumed in the second half, forward Sadio Mane gave Liverpool an inevitable lead of 3-0. At the 51st minute, Jordan Henderson's struck probably his career's best cross before a hesitant Man City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo failed to stop Mane's header.

Speaking about the first goal and why he did not get to celebrate it, Klopp said, "The problem was the VAR. I saw the discussions before the first goal and I was just waiting. It is not the same anymore but it is no problem. I can celebrate tonight. All the games against City were pretty much like this apart from last season's home game. That was more controlled. This was not the most beautiful and most controlled but it was very lively, I like that."

Klopp also credited his boys' willingness to take risks throughout the match at Anfield on Sunday night.

"They were good. Oh, they were good and we had to defend with all we had but we scored incredible goals. It was so tough to play, the intensity of the game was so clear. It was all worth it, really great.
They pass the ball from outside, Sterling. How well did we defend him until then? Because you saw what happens when we don't defend him anymore."

The German manager cited Liverpool's concentration and focus throughout the match the reason behind their success over the last two seasons' champions.

"The boys were completely focused and concentrated. It was so good. It is the only way we can beat City, maybe other teams can do it a different way but this is the only way we can beat them," Klopp added during a post-match interview.

Liverpool, who are eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table, next play Crystal Palace in an away fixture after the international break. Whereas, Man City will be desperate to win in their next Premier League match, which is against third-placed Chelsea.