Klopp: We were in complete control

Cape Town - Despite his side trailing at half-time, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes the Reds were in control against Tottenham on Sunday.

Second-half goals from Jordan Henderson and Mo Salah secured a 2-1 victory at Anfield after Harry Kane had given Spurs the lead in the first minute.

Klopp gave a glowing review of his team, insisting they were in complete control.

"We started well but the way we conceded was a bit unlucky," Klopp told Sky Sports.

"Tottenham then defended well, their counter-attacks were incredible. But the best thing was that you couldn't see any influence of the goal. We weren't nervous, we just followed the plan, doing everything in the right way.

"Their goalkeeper made some incredible saves, but we stayed calm. At half-time, we said this game only had one problem, the score. There were one or two things we could do better and adapt a little bit.

"I wasn't surprised by Tottenham. They have the quality to cause any team in the world problems. We had 70% possession but that's okay for a team like Tottenham because each ball you lose, they have speed on the counterattack and Harry Kane is so strong.

"But we were in control, we pushed them back and dominated apart from the last five minutes when we felt the intensity of the game. It was a super game and I loved it."

On the fitness of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah Klopp said: "Virgil has got a dead leg. It's painful but he will be fine. And Mo is his ankle, it gets sore the longer the game goes but it is not a massive issue."

Liverpool welcome Arsenal to Anfield on Wednesday for a midweek Round of 16 League Cup clash.

Kick-off is 21:30 (SA time).

- TeamTalk Media