Jurgen Klopp has praised Liverpool’s patience in their 3-0 win over Maribor.
Second half goals from Mohamed Salah, Emre Can and Daniel Sturridge placed the Reds in the box seat to qualify as Champions League group stage leaders.
A drab opening 45 minutes suggested they would make hard work of their Slovenian opponents, as had threatened to be the case against Huddersfield.
As in that win over the Terriers, Liverpool had to remain patient against a team defending deep and Klopp was keen to praise the patience his side showed.
He said: “If you have a perfect start it always makes life easier but if you don’t carry that one in a good way, the problems are back immediately.
“I thought that the first half, everyone saw it, was not the most exciting. We knew that Maribor would play like this; anything else would have been a big surprise.
“The box was full of Maribor players, we didn’t come through in the right way, we didn’t take shots when we should take them. So there were a few problems.
“It was similar to the last game at half time.
“We told the boys we have to stay patient, you are not allowed to be frustrated because there were a few signs we were not spot on in the counter pressing and that is very important.
“Second half was a fantastic goal; a good cross but good timing of Mo Salah coming in the box.
“The second goal was fantastic play, speeding up in a small space, playing the one two and then taking a shot and then the third goal from a set piece.
“I’m pleased, especially with the result but also with the reaction.
“The game was not our best game we’ve ever played but before the game we knew the maximum points we could get is three so three goals, good, clean sheet, good, eight points, perfect.”