Klopp Talk: It Was Not Easy

As the first half of Liverpool-Swansea City was drawing to a close, and with the hosts holding on to a 1-0 lead, Roberto Firmino did excellent to work his way into a 1-v-1 with the keeper. Firmino missed the target altogether, and Liverpool fans went into the half worried that missed chances would once again cost them points on the day.

Firmino made up for the late first-half miss with an early second half goal, and the Reds never looked back. It was a result of the same drive and guile as the first half, but with better end product.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp spoke about the struggles in the first half, and working through them to get the desired result.

"After 55 minutes it was brilliant, before that it was work," Kloppo said. "It was not easy.

"The last half an hour was fantastic, a joy to watch, a very deserved win."

He’s right. Immediately after Firmino made it 2-0, Salah almost made it 3-0 with a pair of excellent chances. The Reds were swarming, and the goals would soon come, 5 in total on the day.

But for Klopp, it wasn’t just about today’s match against relegation fodder. The work that went into today’s match was part of a long-term plan to improve the club.

"I know that people are often not patient enough as it's all about results," Klopp explained about the bigger picture.

"It's possible from outside to think it's not quick enough, we feel really good in this moment.”

The hard work is paying off. Liverpool have scored the most league goals after Manchester City, and conceded the fewest at home. Despite the many disappointing draws this season, the Reds still have only two league losses this season, again, better than anyone not named Manchester City.

Liverpool started the second half of the campaign with a much-needed big win. Now they face two tough tests to finish out the holiday fixture list: at home to Leicester City, and away to Burnley.