LIVERPOOL – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he was relieved after his team won their first Premier League game of 2023, beating rivals Everton 2-0 on Monday, and urged them to use the “statement” victory to reignite their season.
Mohamed Salah scored for the first time since Boxing Day and January signing Cody Gakpo bagged his first goal for the Reds.
They helped the team snap a four-game winless run and earned only their second win in eight games in all competitions.
“It was a massive relief,” Klopp said. “The performance was a statement for us that we can do this... It was the best game for a while.
“We have to carry on. To get out of our situation and to bring consistency, we need performances.”
Liverpool, the 2021-2022 EPL runners-up, climbed to ninth with 32 points. They trail fourth-placed Newcastle United by nine before Saturday’s trip to St James’ Park.
Everton were left in 18th place on 18 points, one off the safety zone.
Klopp added that Liverpool had finally played like their true selves against Everton.
“It felt like us, it looked like us,” he said.
“It was a really important night. It gave us all the signs that was us tonight, and now we have to make sure it is us from now on.”
Salah opened the scoring in the 36th minute, linking up with Darwin Nunez on the counter-attack just after Everton missed a glorious double chance to take the lead.
Gakpo extended the lead early in the second half for his first goal in his seventh match for Liverpool, since joining from PSV Eindhoven for a reported £37 million (S$59.7 million).
Klopp’s men started the game having lost three of their last four league matches while conceding nine goals and scoring one.
Everton were hopeful of turning a corner under new manager Sean Dyche after a shock victory over leaders Arsenal in their last outing.
But the Reds were stronger and sharper than their neighbours.
“It’s a huge win for us,” said Salah. “We had a perfect week to train and the players were so excited and we couldn’t wait for the game to turn everything around and hopefully it was a start.”
Klopp was boosted by the return of striker Diogo Jota, while influential defender Virgil van Dijk was on the bench after injuring his hamstring at the start of January.
Liverpool’s struggles this season pale in comparison to those of Everton, who in January sacked Frank Lampard and replaced him with Dyche.
“They smothered us with possession, probably we could have given away a tactical foul to break it up,” said Everton’s new boss.
“There is more to come, I’m sure of that but we have got to play as well.
“The next step is to play and be brave with the ball.” REUTERS
