I was actually afraid of the extra-time, says Klopp
DOHA: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp complemented his players after an intense semifinal that saw the European champions cruise to a 2-1 win over Mexico's Monterrey at the FIFA Club World Cup here at the Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday night.
"Our opponents fought really hard. We had problems before the game. We knew that we will have some problems as well, it was clear. But I really think the boys did exceptionally well because we had so many strange things," said Klopp at the post-match press conference.
In front of a vociferous crowd that constituted majority of their fans, the Premier League side overcame a gritty challenge from the CONCACAF winners, who cancelled out Naby Keita's 12th-minute goal through Rogelio Funes Mori two minutes later.
"I was actually afraid of the extra-time, to be honest," added the German. "I was more than happy when Bobby scored that goal. We had to do a few changes because we had no other options. We wanted some other changes for the line-up. It means we left Trent out, Bobby out and Sadio out, so that gives us then the opportunity when the game is not decided to make a decision."
The Reds set up a meeting with Brazilian outfit Flamengo in Saturday's showpiece after Roberto Firmino's late goal.
Asked about Monterrey, Klopp, who guided the English side to UEFA Champions League in June, said, "I was never in doubt about that: why should we think that European football stands over all or whatever? But still, one game is not enough to judge a player or team. But they are good, I saw in the game against Al Sadd already good players, all that stuff."
Klopp had a special word of praise for star striker Mohammed Salah.
"The pass for Naby’s goal was from Mo, he had a lot of final balls. The Milner chance, the ball was from Mo as well. Look, we are all human beings and the attention on Mo Salah in this part of the world is obviously massive. I thought he played a sensationally good game for all that happened around," he added.
