Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp: I’m not surprised it was tough at Crystal Palace

BY SAM SMITH

Jurgen Klopp has insisted that his Liverpool side will never take for granted a victory at Selhurst Park.

Roberto Firmino scored a late winner as the Reds defeated Crystal Palace. The Brazilian scored immediately after Wilfried Zaha had equalised for the hosts to clinch a 2-1 win.

Sadio Mane had put the league leaders ahead in South London after James Tomkins had a goal harshly ruled out by VAR for an alleged foul on Dejan Lovren by Jordan Ayew.

“I’m not surprised at all that it was tough,” said Klopp, whose side recorded their win without Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian was an unused substitute having failed to properly overcome an injury.

“The games here are always similar, we know it is a tough place and they don’t give up. We gave them much too many [chances] today because we were not compact enough.

“We had the challenges in the wrong area. it was always a set piece or a corner which helped them more than us. We knew before that they can really play good football. They were open and direct.

“We knew at half time that we had to do better. We said we just have to make sure you are ready to fight right from the very start. Getting a result at Crystal Palace, we will never take it for granted.”

PICTURES BY KEITH GILLARD