Klopp hails Liverpool's change back to their usual VAR behaviour in Wolves win

01 March 2023 , 22:51

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Klopp hails Liverpool's change back to their usual VAR behaviour in Wolves win

Jurgen Klopp praised Liverpool's mentality after seeing a goal chalked off by VAR against Wolves and admitted they would usually draw or lose such games this season.

The Reds scored twice in the second-half to secure the three points over Wolves at Anfield - just weeks after they lost 3-0 to the same opponents at Molineux. Virgil van Djik opened the scoring in the final twenty minutes with Mohamed Salah adding a second four minutes later.

All that came after Darwin Nunez had seen what he thought was the opener ruled out by VAR when Diogo Jota, playing against his former side, was deemed to have committed a foul in the build-up when he caught Max Kilman.

Such setbacks can shift the momentum in games, with Klopp conceding that Liverpool have caved in when suffering similar hard luck stories this season, but he was pleased with the determination shown.

He told Premier League Productions: "We controlled the game without creating massively, but we found our rhythm back. The second half, we started a bit hectic, then we scored a wonderful goal which is disallowed. Very often when that happens it stays 0-0 or we lose with a late goal, but the boys really wanted it."

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The German took issue with VAR's decision to award a foul however, adding: "I saw it back, I don't think it's a foul, in slow motion everything looks like a foul. But reacting like this is important for us, tonight is exactly what we needed in a fantastic atmosphere."

Liverpool's win keeps them in the hunt for the top four. Failing to qualify for the Champions League would be a massive blow, especially with a potential rebuild in the summer. They are now six points behind Tottenham but with a game in hand on the north Londoners.

Darwin Nunez saw his strike ruled out by VAR

The Reds looked bereft of ideas in their draw at Crystal Palace just days before their win on Wednesday night. That came after their European mauling at the hands of Real Madrid at Anfield. Los Blancos scored five unanswered goals to expose Liverpool's flaws, but their defensive solidity was highlighted as a plus.

"We had a knock against Real Madrid, we played a really good first half then we started the second really bad. We looked a lot more stable today, we have to carry that on," added Klopp.

Liverpool's next assignment in a clash with arch rivals Manchester United at Anfield - with revenge on the agenda following their defeat earlier this season. Klopp said: "It's a big game anyway, against a team in form. We have to be ready, and we will give them a big fight."

Samuel Meade