What Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said about Newcastle United after ‘special’ St James’ Park win

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was delighted to leave Newcastle United’s St James’ Park with all three points.
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Jurgen Klopp described his side’s 1-0 win at St James’ Park as “special” as he spoke about the passion of the Newcastle United fans.

Liverpool walked away 1-0 winners to briefly return to the top of the Premier League table after Naby Keita’s 19th-minute goal separated the two clubs.

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Eddie Howe’s side struggled to break down the Reds’ defence to suffer their first home defeat since December 19.

‘Everything was prepared for another home win’

Assessing how the game played out, Klopp said: “It was incredibly difficult for the boys. We also played two-and-a-half days ago (versus Villarreal).

“Coming here, a team in form, six home wins in a row, great weather, everyone is a good mood - everything was prepared for another home win.

“The only people who wanted to prove that wrong were my players.

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“It was an outstanding football game. We had to adapt slightly. Newcastle put Joelinton on the left and kept the ball there and went for second balls.

“When the ball was on the ground, we were really good. We kept them quiet, I can’t remember a lot of counter attacks, apart from the offside goal they scored.

“In the circumstances, it was a top class performance.”

‘Winning here is special’ - Klopp on St James Park win

Klopp, in front of a 52,281 sell-out crowd, described winning on Tyneside as “special”.

The German boss said: “It’s the most difficult of circumstances. A team in form, a crowd waiting for ages for proper success.

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“Coming here with five changes and building pretty much a new setup is really difficult, so the performance was absolutely outstanding. I loved it. We controlled the game in so many ways.

“The only plan they had was the long ball to our right side. The impact we have from the bench is outstanding. Joe Gomez, what a game. Naby Keita, what a game. James Milner, what a game. Diogo Jota – my god, what a game. Then you see Andy Robertson in the 93rd minute, making the run.

“You can’t really defend them properly because it’s always these long balls. It’s really difficult to get a feeling for the game, but it’s obviously not the first time these things happen. We had to put Joel (Matip) wide and Joe (Gomez) on the side. We had to put Naby (Keita) in front of the challenges.

“Our players were outstanding and Newcastle are obviously a really passionate crowd. Winning here is special."

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