Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has described Liverpool’s comeback win with 10 men at Newcastle as one of the best victories he has ever had as a manager.
Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez scored two late goals off the bench in a thrilling win for Liverpool, who had captain Virgil Van Dijk sent off for a last-man tackle on Alexander Isak in the first half and went a goal down afterwards.
According to Klopp, who spent most of the match visibly furious at refereeing decisions, this was perhaps his best win as a manager.
When asked if that was the case, Klopp said, “Definitely. It was more difficult than the Barcelona game (in which Liverpool overturned a 3-0 first-leg deficit).
‘’In my 1,000 games as a coach, I’ve never had a game like this. With 10 men in an atmosphere like this against an opponent like this, I am pretty sure it never happened. These moments are rare and super special.”
“I said at halftime that this could really be something we can tell our grandkids. I will see mine in 10 days, and I will tell them. Two things were clear then: We cannot concede a second, Trent (Alexander-Arnold) cannot get another yellow card, and if that happens, we have a chance” Klopp added.
Speaking about match-winner Nunez, Klopp stated that the Uruguayan was fired up after not starting games and used this to his advantage to prove the manager wrong for his omission. “I just give him a hug and encourage him to try for the team.
“He is not happy about not starting, but you cannot have more than 11 players playing all the time, so you have to have stability. The players are not happy. We need to create a new way to play football, and Darwin can be a key part of that.
“His key strengths are exceptional. Everything will be fine. Maybe it had to be like this. Let’s take it like that” Klopp stated.
The German tactician, who was angered at Van Dijk’s sending off, said, “I don’t think it is a red card; pretty much no contact, but what can I say? The decision is made and I cannot change it. Would I whistle it in a training game? Definitely not… but there is a reason I am not a ref.”
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was annoyed that his team capitulated to 10 men late in the game. “I would want them to be hurting,” he said after the match. “We pride ourselves on trying to win, and if we can’t, then we do everything we can to draw the game.
“And this is a game we shouldn’t have lost. My job is to calm everything down, but from the first three games, we have been very close but probably haven’t gotten the points we deserve. In hindsight, you would always do things differently.
“That is as painful as the game at Anfield last year (a last-minute loss). I thought we played really well; the opening stages can’t be forgotten. I thought we were excellent; individual performances were strong, and the sending-off almost harmed us.
“A second goal (for Newcastle) would change everything, and we didn’t get it. When Nunez comes on, they are looking for one moment, and they got two.”
