Liverpool: Klopp praises Salzburg after Champions League clash
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp saw his side beat Red Bull Salzburg 2-0 to secure their place in the last 16 of the Champions League but the result was marred by another injury to Dejan Lovren. The 30-year-old went down at the beginning of the second half and forced Klopp into making an early substitution.
After the game the German coach admitted he hoped it was the same minor issue the defender had previously suffered from but decided to take the player off in the 53rd minute as a precaution.
“We hope that it’s exactly the same as last time,” Klopp said.
“He felt something and we made the decision. It’s of course not cool.
“He played really well and was very important. We don’t know more in the moment.
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As for the result in Austria, the win means Liverpool top Group E with Napoli coming in second place after beating Genk 4-0 at home.
Liverpool have a busy schedule and are back in action on Saturday when they host Watford, before traveling to Villa Park to face Aston Villa in the quarter final of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
The Reds also have the FIFA Club World Cup to play in Qatar before going to the King Power Stadium to face title challengers Leicester City on Boxing Day.
After 16 games Liverpool currently have an eight point lead in the Premier League and Klopp believes that with hard work his side can continue to be competitive in multiple competitions.
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“Of course there are limits and we have to work hard to achieve what we want,” said Klopp.
“We wanted to move on to the next knockout phase, that was important, and it wasn’t in our plan to be the leader of the Premier League in December but it’s great to be there.
“But we need to use everything and we need to work very hard.
“Yes, there are limits and if the boys play like this then it makes it easier for us but they have to be ready and try to achieve their goals always like they did tonight.”