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A 1-0 Reds win over Christian Benteke and Crystal Palace was welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s side as they started the home schedule with a welcome three points.
“It was a hard job to do,” Klopp admitted. “We needed to be creative. We had our moments in the first half but we knew we had to be a little bit patient.
“But we had the moments; we didn’t score [in the first period], that’s how it is, but we also didn’t give too many counterattacks away, so I was fine for the moment. In the second half, we could adjust a little bit here and there and we did a little better. The first part of the second half was really good.
“We’ve had games like this against Crystal Palace already [where] one counterattack can kill you. We were really awake and concentrated in these situations and defended really well.
“I am completely happy with how the boys did the job today.”
Klopp - i'm really happy we scored and created chances in the second half. We didn't see the spaces as often first half.
— Andy Kelly (@AndyK_LivNews) August 19, 2017
Leading Hoffenheim 2-1 ahead of a looming second leg tie for Champions League qualification slated for Wednesday, followed by a clash to Arsenal four days later, saw the German manager field a side against Palace missing five of the XI that started the first two matches of the season.
While he acknowledged that these next eight days will be tough, the 50 year-old expressed confidence in the Anfield atmosphere that he credited for giving his side an edge on the day:
“It will be quite difficult, but [playing at] Anfield helps a lot. I think it was again the difference today in the moments of the second half when the crowd was really there. We gave the first three points at Anfield back to our supporters...and now two home games, both very important. So now we can go again.”