Klopp Praises ‘exhausted’ Liverpool For World Cup Victory

Jurgen Klopp has urged his players to savour their ‘sensational’ Club World Cup success but admits they were left ‘exhausted’ following their extra-time victory over Flamengo.

Roberto Firmino’s 99th-minute strike secured victory for the Reds against the Copa Libertadores champions in Doha on Saturday, meaning the Merseyside club become just the second English side to lift the trophy in the competition’s history.

It completes a clean sweep of continental trophies for Liverpool in 2019 following their victories in the Champions League and European Super Cup.

With the side currently 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League, a first league title since 1990 is also tantalisingly within reach next May.

After a game that stretched Liverpool to the limit, Klopp was full of praise for his side’s achievement in Qatar.

“We are all kind of exhausted from a very intense game,” said Klopp. “It was an incredible performance, an incredibly difficult game against a good opponent. We did so many good things it’s unbelievable, so many good football moments.

“Late goals – we don’t want to need them but they were necessary and important. The boys have improved a lot over these months and when you start believing you believe through the full 90 minutes and in this case 120 minutes.

“I saw so many sensationally good performances and I’m really happy. The atmosphere in the stadium was great.

“I think we deserved the win tonight, we were the better side.

“In this moment we have to look at a wonderful night for us, for the club, for everybody who is with us.

“Before the game I said I don’t know exactly how it would feel [to win the cup] but now I can say it’s outstanding. Absolutely sensational.

“I am so proud of the boys and couldn’t be better.”