Monday 28 August 2017 08:53, UK
Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool are improving with every game after his side thumped Arsenal 4-0 at Anfield.
The future of Philippe Coutinho has dominated the transfer window for the Reds, but goals from Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Daniel Sturridge demonstrated the quality that remains in the squad.
Arsenal were second best in all departments as they failed to register a single shot on target to trouble Loris Karius, who was deputising for the absent Simon Mignolet.
Liverpool began the campaign with a draw at Watford, but victories over Hoffenheim in the Champions League play-off either side of a win over Crystal Palace formed the platform to a complete performance against the Gunners.
"We were very good, and so far we have learned from each game and built on it," Klopp told Sky Sports.
"It was even better than against Hoffenheim, but it was already very good. There was pressure on the boys and we wanted to show our desire to do something special and the boys did very well.
"If you give Arsenal time and space and opportunities then you've already lost before the game starts. We had to learn to feel the pain in the game but to ignore it.
"We made changes, and it was clear it would be hard. We defended really well with these wingers, and players like Sadio (Mane) and Mo (Salah), they sometimes gamble a little bit because of their quality, speed and skills in offensive situations, and that made all the difference against Hoffenheim.
"We closed the spaces and were brave where Arsenal wanted to play in short spaces, it was overall a really good peformance and well deserved. It's very important the clean sheet, with all the discussions about the defence. The result is the result of the performance.
On the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Coutinho's future, Klopp preferred to focus on those who performed in his absence, adding: "He's not available for us.
"I can imagine if he was a part of this game, I can't imagine it would've been worse. Today it was the summary of 11 outstanding individual performances.
