Sunday 10 February 2019 07:20, UK
Jurgen Klopp was delighted his Liverpool team answered his call for them to play "lively" as they moved back to the top of the Premier League.
Klopp's men regained the initiative in the title race as they moved three points clear of Manchester City with a 3-0 win over Bournemouth at Anfield.
This was a return to the Liverpool of earlier in the season - full of pace, pressing and clinical finishing in front of goal.
It was a timely response from Klopp's men who had been held to back-to-back draws in the Premier League to allow City back into the hunt. Pep Guardiola's side can, however, move back level on points with the Reds with a win over Chelsea on Super Sunday.
When asked about bouncing back to form, Klopp replied: "It's completely normal if people discuss our results if they are not happy with it.
"But we were not happy with the performances. We wanted to show a reaction to get back on track and to be lively. I'm really pleased with the performance.
"It was never in doubt. Bournemouth started well and are a good football team but the plan was to play lively, to break their lines. We were very flexible in the build-up to creating chances and we scored wonderful goals. Our set-pieces are back on the right side. All the goals were brilliant and the third was outstanding. We defended well and attacked well. A deserved win."
The win coincided with the return from injury of full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who came off the bench, and midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum.
The Dutchman starred in midfield, scoring a wonderfully exquisite goal to put Liverpool 2-0 ahead.
Klopp was left beaming with Wijnaldum's performance, revealing that he'd been suffering with diarrhoea and vomiting in the build-up to the game.
"Injuries are always there but then they get ill," Klopp said.
"Wijnaldum didn't sleep in the team hotel - he had diarrhoea and was vomiting just two nights ago. But he felt well after a tough night and didn't train yesterday - we need our boys.
"In the circumstances of the past three days, he played the perfect game today."
