Jürgen Klopp believes that Liverpool winning the Premier League title would be a “championship of will” after his side dug deep to beat Tottenham Hotspur in dramatic fashion at Anfield.
Liverpool returned to the top of the table thanks to a 2-1 victory over Mauricio Pochettino’s visitors, but only did so thanks to a 90th-minute Hugo Lloris error which led to a Toby Alderweireld own goal.
The title challengers sit two points clear of champions Manchester City, who have a game in hand to play in what has the potential to be one of the best run-ins in the Premier League’s history.
Klopp was delighted with the manner of the victory said it was a greater psychological boost to win late on rather than enjoy a comfortable victory.
“If you win 5-0 today, it can lead you on the wrong path. We are all human beings,” he said.
1/23 Player ratings from Liverpool vs Tottenham
The Reds are back on top the Premier League
AFP/Getty
2/23 Alisson – 5 out of 10
Getty Images
3/23 Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7 out of 10
Getty Images
4/23 Virgil van Dijk – 8 out of 10
Action Images via Reuters
5/23 Joel Matip – 6 out of 10
AFP/Getty Images
6/23 Andrew Robertson – 8 out of 10
Getty Images
7/23 Georginio Wijnaldum – 6 out of 10
AFP/Getty Images
8/23 Jordan Henderson – 5 out of 10
CameraSport via Getty Images
9/23 James Milner – 6 out of 10
Action Images via Reuters
10/23 Sadio Mane – 7 out of 10
EPA
11/23 Mohamed Salah – 6 out of 10
PA
12/23 Roberto Firmino – 8 out of 10
AFP/Getty Images
13/23 Hugo Lloris – 5 out of 10
EPA
14/23 Danny Rose – 7 out of 10
Getty Images
15/23 Toby Alderweireld – 6 out of 10
REUTERS
16/23 Davinson Sanchez – 5 out of 10
AP
17/23 Jan Vertonghen – 7 out of 10
AFP/Getty Images
18/23 Kieran Trippier – 5 out of 10
AFP/Getty Images
19/23 Moussa Sissoko – 5 out of 10
AFP/Getty Images
20/23 Dele Alli – 5 out of 10
Getty Images
21/23 Christian Eriksen – 7 out of 10
AFP/Getty Images
22/23 Lucas Moura – 8 out of 10
AFP/Getty Images
23/23 Harry Kane – 7 out of 10
Action Plus via Getty Images
1/23 Player ratings from Liverpool vs Tottenham
The Reds are back on top the Premier League
AFP/Getty
2/23 Alisson – 5 out of 10
Getty Images
3/23 Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7 out of 10
Getty Images
4/23 Virgil van Dijk – 8 out of 10
Action Images via Reuters
5/23 Joel Matip – 6 out of 10
AFP/Getty Images
6/23 Andrew Robertson – 8 out of 10
Getty Images
7/23 Georginio Wijnaldum – 6 out of 10
AFP/Getty Images
8/23 Jordan Henderson – 5 out of 10
CameraSport via Getty Images
9/23 James Milner – 6 out of 10
Action Images via Reuters
10/23 Sadio Mane – 7 out of 10
EPA
11/23 Mohamed Salah – 6 out of 10
PA
12/23 Roberto Firmino – 8 out of 10
AFP/Getty Images
13/23 Hugo Lloris – 5 out of 10
EPA
14/23 Danny Rose – 7 out of 10
Getty Images
15/23 Toby Alderweireld – 6 out of 10
REUTERS
16/23 Davinson Sanchez – 5 out of 10
AP
17/23 Jan Vertonghen – 7 out of 10
AFP/Getty Images
18/23 Kieran Trippier – 5 out of 10
AFP/Getty Images
19/23 Moussa Sissoko – 5 out of 10
AFP/Getty Images
20/23 Dele Alli – 5 out of 10
Getty Images
21/23 Christian Eriksen – 7 out of 10
AFP/Getty Images
22/23 Lucas Moura – 8 out of 10
AFP/Getty Images
23/23 Harry Kane – 7 out of 10
Action Plus via Getty Images
“Nine months ago, we started and wanted to go for the highest stakes in two competitions. We did it our way. The boys improved so much.
“It feels like we always have to apologise a bit about the football last season, people always want the 100 per cent package. We had to find a way to win football games much more often than in the past. Up to now, it’s worked.”
Klopp added: “If we would be first of the table after the last matchday, it would be a championship of will. That’s how it is. We want it. Not only that, we get used to situations step by step.
“I’ve been here three-and-a-half years. It was the best performance of a Liverpool crowd since I am in after an equaliser. It was completely front-footed.”
City will have the chance to climb back above Liverpool on Wednesday night, when they play their rearranged fixture against Cardiff City.
