Liverpool vs Watford: Jurgen Klopp 'doesn't understand' why his table-toppers are under so much scrutiny

After four draws in five matches the Reds found their form in stunning style with a 5-0 victory at home to Watford

Carl Markham
Thursday 28 February 2019 03:49 EST
Comments
Jurgen Klopp on Liverpool vs Watford

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Jurgen Klopp does not understand some of the scrutiny his Liverpool team have come under in recent weeks but he was more than happy to answer their critics in resounding fashion.

After four draws in five matches the Reds found their form in stunning style with a 5-0 victory at home to Watford - their biggest win since beating the same opponents by the same scoreline last March.

It came at the ideal time as questions were being asked about whether Liverpool, particularly their all-star forward line, were running out of gas in the title race.

Both two goals apiece from Sadio Mane and Vigil Van Dijk either side of Divock Origi's strike banished any talk of a crisis of creativity.

"Tomorrow is another day: we have to deal with all the other things but that was fantastic football game and I'm really happy for the boys because they deserve it so much," said Klopp.

"We draw against Bayern and against (Manchester) United and everybody talks about, I don't know exactly what they are talking about, but things I don't understand.

"It's always about showing reactions but not reactions of the things we are talking about.

"We wanted to play like this every day. That is maybe sometimes possible, sometimes a bit less but you have to be stable and the boys were always stable and really fluent offensively.

"It is a good example of how football should look. Let's try to do it again and again."

The victory ensured Liverpool kept a point ahead of Manchester City heading into the final 10 Premier League matches of the season while also cutting their rivals' superior goal difference down to six.

But Klopp maintained his mantra of focusing on his own side and not concerning himself with what Pep Guardiola's team are doing.

"I don't think you need an answer from me," he said when asked about the title race.

Van Dijk scored twice at Anfield
Van Dijk scored twice at Anfield (Getty Images)

"We only need to play football and to win games then we will see what happens.

"It's not like I go in the dressing room and someone tells me the (City) result and I get a heart attack.

"It's a normal thing. If you are top of the table, it's pretty likely that all the contenders win. That's how it is.

"That's the only advantage you have when you are fighting to stay in the lead because the other teams lose a bit more often than our fight.

"I didn't think about City but it is of course what I expected."

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

The manner of Watford's defeat was surprising as they came into the came inn decent form with six victories and four draws in their last 11 matches.

Manager Javi Gracia, however, tried to see past their Anfield mauling.

"The only thing I can say about my players is that I have big confidence in them," he said.

"We are keeping a good level in all our performances. We knew it would be tough but we will look to the next game."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in