Klopp: “We Saw a Lot of Things Close to Being Really Good”

In the end it was expected that Liverpool would reach the third round of the EFL Cup against a side experiencing Championship football for the first time in their history. Perhaps the level of opponents means a win won’t satisfy those looking for a response to the defeat to Burnley, but a strong Liverpool side advanced comfortably on the night.

Emre Can, Divock Origi, and Joël Matip made their first starts of the season while Sadio Mané returned after missing the trip to Turf Moor with a shoulder injury. Klopp said after the victory against Burton Albion that he “saw a lot of things close to being really good" against Burnley, but did Liverpool show enough in their 5-0 victory to leave fans feeling confident ahead of a big game at White Hart Lane?

“We were there, where we had to be," Klopp said. "We were on the line, we had possession [around] the box and bodies in the box. The first two goals were like this – one was a transition, the other one after a second ball. So, it was all good.

“Even in games you’ve lost, you have to use things if there are a few things that you can. [Because of our performance] in the end, it was not as difficult as we could have imagined or expected it to be. I think it was the most difficult draw [in the second round].

“It was possible an [upset] could have [happened], so we were really serious. We were very professional and we did our job, so it was good.”

Liverpool did what they needed to and Klopp promised they will be ready for Saturday and Tottenham Hotspur. The Liverpool manager thinks the sun will be out in force on Saturday, and if the conditions are right, Liverpool will hope to enter the international break with a positive result on a sunny day in London.