Battling Reds delight Klopp – Betfred Blog

Jurgen Klopp hailed the fighting spirit of his Liverpool players after they went back to the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Southampton on Friday.

The Reds are 13/8 with Betfred to claim the top-flight title after re-establishing their two-point lead over Manchester City, who have a game in hand and remain the 1/2 favourites to retain their crown.

It is the 25th time this season the lead has changed hands in the Premier League and Liverpool’s current tally of 82 points is the highest achieved by a team after 33 games of a 38-match campaign.

With both the Reds and City setting a record-breaking pace in the battle for the title, Klopp believes his players will need to show fighting spirit between now and the end of the season, just as they did when coming from behind at Southampton.

Shane Long gave the home side an early lead before Naby Keita’s header levelled matters heading towards half-time.

It looked like the match was destined to end in a draw as the game approached the final 10 minutes, only for Mohamed Salah (11/4 – Premier League Top goalscorer) to produce a moment of magic to put the Merseysiders back ahead.

Jordan Henderson’s late effort wrapped up the points for Liverpool and Klopp says he was over the moon to come away from Southampton with a win having predicted it would be a tricky game for his team.

“I’m really, really happy about the performance and the game because we knew it was difficult for us, so that was good. Winning here is not easy but we did it – really good,” Klopp told Sky Sports

“The performance was not top level, but it is about fighting.

“People want us to play like Manchester City. We are unable to do that. Why should we do it? We play our own football. It’s a nice way, and a really good way.

“We have 82 points now. That is massive in this crazy league, with these unbelievably strong opponents, and everyone is waiting for us. I am really proud. It is incredible.”

As for Southampton, they remain in relegation danger and are 40/1 with Betfred to go down as they remain five points above the bottom three.

Odds subject to change.