Chronicle EditorLIVERPOOL. — Manager Juergen Klopp’s preferred style of play has become second nature to Liverpool’s players who took time to get used to the German’s tactics, midfielder James Milner has said. After initially struggling under Klopp, who replaced Brendan Rodgers in October, Liverpool have now lost only once in their last 15 games following Wednesday night’s 4-0 English Premier League win over Merseyside rivals Everton.
“The manager’s style is a bit more second nature than it was a few months ago, we know how he wants to play and everyone is on the same page. I think you can see that in the performances,” Milner said.
Liverpool are seventh in the league, six points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, who hold the final Champions League qualifying spot with five games left.
Klopp also led his side into the Europa League semi-finals against Spanish side Villarreal after overcoming his former club Borussia Dortmund in dramatic fashion.
“We seem to be in the rhythm at the moment. You need a full squad and we have got a quality squad of players, a young squad as well but when the younger guys have come in they have done brilliantly as well,” Milner said.
“There’s a lot of competition for places and that’s what you need.”
Liverpool host former boss Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle United, who are second bottom of the table, tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Klopp refused to get carried away after his rampant side crushed neighbours Everton 4-0 in a one-sided 226th Merseyside derby at Anfield.
Wednesday night’s English Premier League soccer encounter was little short of a humiliation for the visitors, who finished the match with 10 men after Ramiro Funes Mori’s second-half red card.
In truth, the match was already over by then as first-half headers from Divock Origi and Mamadou Sakho set the Reds on the path to victory.
Straight after the break, Funes Mori clattered Origi in a shocking tackle, for which he received his marching orders, and Liverpool then twisted the knife even further with a second-half showing of complete dominance.
Substitute Daniel Sturridge — on for Origi, who was stretchered off — slotted past Joel Robles to add a third after an hour before a wonderful strike from Philippe Coutinho capped off a memorable night for the home side with 14 minutes remaining.
But while Klopp admitted that his team are enjoying their football, Origi’s injury took some of the gloss off the win and the German said that the margin of victory could be partly explained by Funes Mori’s exit.
“We did well. Usually after a 4-0 win I don’t know how to keep the smile of my face, but tonight it’s pretty easy,” Klopp said.
“In the first half it was a derby, so it was more wild than a normal football game, but it’s a derby so you accept this.
“We could have done better, but lost some patience in the wrong moments. We forced some things too early and we didn’t have the movements, especially not behind the line.
“But of course the two goals were at the perfect moment and what can I say about the second half?
“It changed completely with the second half and when (Everton’s John) Stones also had to come off. It was not easy for Everton.
“We are in a good moment — that’s how it is. We made good chances and we could have scored more.”
Origi’s injury marred Liverpool’s victory, but Klopp allayed initial fears that the Belgian striker had broken his leg.
“I didn’t see the pictures, but it was a big shadow on the game,” Klopp said.
“It’s not broken. I went into the medical room and saw him smiling. The ankle is twisted and we have to wait to see what happens to the ligaments now.” Everton manager Roberto Martinez is now under fire like never before. — Reuters.
Online Reporter