Jurgen Klopp has admitted he ‘would have preferred a goal’ to see Nick Pope sent off in Liverpool’s ‘massive’ 2-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday night.

Here are the key dates from Klopp’s post-match press conference…

“I definitely would have preferred a goal”

That’s the manager’s response when asked about the handball situation which saw Pope sent off midway through the first half at St James’ Park.

“Because I think it was possible. If Mo wins the ball there’s a good chance we’ll score there,” he added.

“And to play against 11 because that was also the moment when we lost our rhythm a bit.”

“I loved the goals”

Salah failed to score the goal that would have erased Michael Owens’ name from the record books as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer in the Premier League. But Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo both found the back of the net in a smooth offensive performance in the opening stages.
“The best goals, honestly,” Klopp said.
“That’s the way it is when you can play together a little more.”

Nunez injury update

Unfortunately, three days before the Champions League match against Real Madrid, Nunez was forced out in the second half with a worrying shoulder injury.

“It’s painful at the moment,” Klopp explained. “I hope it’s just painful and no more.”

Karius speaks!

Come on, you didn’t expect that after the 2-0 win over Newcastle. But with Pope sent off and Martin Dubravka level in the cup, Loris Karius is set to start for Newcastle when they face Man United in the Carabao Cup final.

It will be Karius’ first competitive game for an English club since the Champions League final in 2018 and Klopp said: “He’s absolutely reliable.”

A huge victory

Ultimately, three points adrift of fourth is huge for Liverpool, who make a compelling case for a top-four result.

“Massive,” was Klopp’s assessment. “Massive, massive, massive, massive.
“We are not in a position now to shut up and say, ‘Now we are here and we are leaving’. “Obviously we are in a better situation than a few weeks ago, but we still have room for improvement and we need to show consistency.”