Liverpool FC

Klopp ‘not over the moon’ with Palace rout

Jurgen Klopp insists he is not ‘over the moon’ at Liverpool’s 7-0 rout of Crystal Palace.

The Premier League champions will see in Christmas top of the pile for a third consecutive year following their biggest-ever top flight away win on Saturday.

Klopp’s side head into the festive period with a five-point advantage at the summit with their local rivals Everton currently occupying second place.

But while the Reds’ manager was pleased with the manner of his team’s display at Selhurst Park, he is still refusing to get carried away with the result.

He said: “Everything is pleasing; overcoming difficult problems in the first half with counter attacks, fighting really hard, top finishing, keeping the ball in the right way, using precision.

“The boys did did really well. It’s a funny season. We lost 7-2 [at Aston Villa], now we won 7-0. At least now we can cancel out the goal difference.

“I don’t feel satisfaction. I’m happy at the moment, but it makes no sense to be over the moon.

“I don’t think really about being top of the table; I’m just happy we won the game.”

Takumi Minamino finally opened his Premier League account for Liverpool with a well-taken goal to put the the visitors ahead within three minutes.

The Japanese flourished in a more advanced role than his normal midfield position, but Klopp praised his performance and his versatility after the game.

“If you play for us in midfield, you need offensive skills,” he added.

“Takumi can play there. He played a top game today, a nice finish, it’s a good moment [for him].

“I saw him in the dressing room then and he had a smile all over his face.”

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Mohamed Salah also featured in the seven-goal drubbing and scored a brace as a substitute which elevated him to the Premier League’s leading scorer.

But Klopp said the Egyptian was rested due to a heavy workload, and appeared unconcerned by an interview suggesting he would welcome a move to Spain.

He said: “It was the plan with him to not start. It’s the first time for a while that we had the opportunity to do something like this.

“We played Sunday, then Wednesday, so we needed the fresh legs.

“I think Mo only missed seven minutes in the last four games. It’s a massively intense period for him.”