Jurgen Klopp warns that Liverpool will NOT ‘fly through’ their Europa League group, after Reds suffered early scare during 3-1 victory over LASK
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- Liverpool recorded a 3-1 win over LASK in their opening Europa League fixture
- The Reds went a goal down but battled back in the second-half to earn the win
Jurgen Klopp has warned that Liverpool will not ‘fly through’ the Europa League and they will have to dig in to win the competition after a tough first outing against Austrian Bundesliga side LASK.
Goals from Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and substitute Mo Salah saw Liverpool overturn a half-time deficit to win a match from 1-0 down for the fourth time in five games. And Klopp insists it shows that this Europa campaign will not be easy for the Reds.
‘I know people expect us to fly through this competition,’ said the German, who won his 50th European match in beating LASK. ‘It will not happen. We have to dig in and I thought we did. We can learn so much.’
On the 50th win, which is more than any Liverpool manager in history, Klopp added: ‘If I still am on 50 wins after the group stage, then I am still the most successful Liverpool manager… and everyone would hate it!’
Klopp said he thought the first half was better than many – including his own players – thought, and said: ‘We had very good moments, but suffered a lot from the lesser moments. Frustration grew.
Jurgen Klopp has warned his side that their journey in the Europa League will not be easy
Luis Diaz (L) was among the goalscorers as Liverpool came from a goal behind to beat LASK 3-1
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‘I am sure the boys thought there was nothing good in the first half but that is not true. I am really happy. I knew it would be difficult. The win was well-deserved.’
On Liverpool’s slow starts becoming a theme, Michael Owen told TNT Sports: ‘I think he will be slightly concerned. He will probably be looking at it like why has that happened. Is it a coincidence or is it happening too much to draw some conclusions from it.
‘But the overriding feeling would be a bit of relief. It is a great first result getting three points away from home and you are in a really good position. He will be delighted, but a few little concerns about why it is happening all the time. But it is some character to keep coming back.’
Klopp also confirmed that Ryan Gravenberch, who made his full debut here, went off with cramp. ‘Ryan played a super game and was really decisive for us,’ said the manager, who added on Stefan Bajcetic on his first start of the season: ‘Stefan found a way into the game.’
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