LIVERPOOL MANAGER JURGEN Klopp was happy to see his team come out on top in Wednesday’s big clash against Chelsea, a match that he likened to a ‘boxing fight’.
The Reds defeated Chelsea on penalty kicks in the UEFA Super Cup in Istanbul, with stand-in goalkeeper Adrian the hero after a 2-2 match through 120 minutes.
Chelsea took a first-half lead through Olivier Giroud before Sadio Mane restored parity right after the half-time break.
Mane would score again in extra-time to give his side what looked like the winner, before Jorginho levelled the game again from the spot.
That set up a penalty shoot-out where the first nine takers converted their kicks, before Adrian saved Tammy Abraham’s effort to secure the trophy for Liverpool.
Although Klopp admitted that playing an extra 30 minutes wasn’t ideal at this early stage of the season, he was happy to see his side pull through in a closely fought encounter.
“Not only we showed character, Chelsea showed character as well,” Klopp told BT Sport . “It was like a boxing fight. Proper knocks from both sides.
“Nobody in the stadium wanted another two 15 minutes but that’s how it is. It was a really good Chelsea side.
“We started well then dropped off… we could talk about football but it’s too late now. We had to fight and the boys did tonight.”
Klopp’s side have had to adjust quickly after a short off-season, with the Reds’ campaign having started early with a penalty shoot-out defeat to Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 4.
That was followed by a Premier League-opening win over Norwich on Friday, and Liverpool will now have to turn around quickly and play another league game against Southampton on Saturday.
It’s really early in the season but it’s already our third competitive game without a pre-season,” Klopp said.
“It was a very difficult game for both teams. It was all about winning it and we did that in the end.”
Chelsea will have one more day of rest than their opponents on Wednesday, with Frank Lampard’s side set to face Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Open up the scotch fergie
@Ollie Watson: as he admires his 13 PREMIER LEAGUE TITLES. EVER SEEN ONE??? Large one methinks and so are you!
@Chauncey O’ Monikerinho: just as well the world of football began when it did in the early 90s.
@Chauncey O’ Monikerinho: 18 LEAGUE titles buddy
@Ollie Watson: oh dear poor you
@my name: 20 league titles matey
@Ollie Watson: your team wins a trophy and you post a message about the retired manchester united manager, why??
@Brian Dunne: hi Brian. What’s that got to do with the other clown saying Liverpool never won the league? When your next comment is you giving out about someone posting off topic?
@my name:hi my name. I was replying directly to your comment. Thanks.
@Brian Dunne: so you’re doing exactly what Ollie did then? The very thing you took issue with? That’s odd, Brian. You have a great day
@my name: well no name, did ollie reply directly to someone as i did? Of course not so its not really the same is it? Anywho all this folly stemmed from ollie’s original and frankly weird post about alex ferguson. Enjoy your day!
@Brian Dunne: united fans are so funny, doing what they accused Liverpool fans of doing for years! I am having a great day thanks. You cheered me up no end
@my name: good to know! The pool have kept me cheered up most of my life. Maybe its your turn for now! Enjoy
@Brian Dunne: I am enjoying it pal, then you came along and gave me another laugh. You’re a gem
Must get his teeth bleached like every 90 days that lad
@Ronan McDermott: keeps them shining, like the cups he’s just won
@my name: must be hard keeping two clean
@Luke Willis: not when they’re brand new buddy