Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp paid a special tribute to "proper threat" Darwin Nunez following Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield.
The Reds and Julen Lopetegui's men were clashing for the fourth time already in 2023, with Liverpool edging an FA Cup third-round replay at Molineux 1-0 following a 2-2 draw at Anfield.
Only a few weeks ago, Wolves embarrassed the six-time European champions 3-0 in the West Midlands, but a repeat of that sensational result never looked to be on the cards this week.
Following a controversially disallowed goal for Nunez, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah's efforts propelled Liverpool to their third win from four Premier League games - as well as a fourth successive clean sheet in the top flight - and lifted them into the top six of the rankings.
Despite failing to add to his goal or assist tally on Wednesday, Klopp waxed lyrical about "handful" Nunez and expressed his belief that his opening goal - ruled out for Diogo Jota's foul on Max Kilman - should have stood.
"I would say he is really getting there. Everybody can see he is just a handful, just a proper threat. Again, the [disallowed] goal he scored was a super reaction, a super finish," Klopp said in his post-game press conference.
"The runs he had, one again down the line; in the end cross doesn't arrive but [it was] pretty similar to the Everton goal, if you want. Using his speed in both directions, offensively and defensively.
"He is really good. He is still a young boy and I think everyone can see he will get there, there is no doubt about it, but he is already for us super-important. I think you all saw the [disallowed] goal now a couple of times back and when you see it in slow-motion you see the contact then, but I still think it was a goal, but that's not important anymore.
"Especially, players don't have a replay and for them it's a clear goal of course. Then you have to react. I was not worried but of course then you watch it, how the boys react – and the reaction was really good."
Following Nunez's disallowed goal, Van Dijk saw a mishit effort - which came off his shoulder - kept out by Jose Sa, but Jota kept the ball alive on the left and crossed for the Dutchman to head home from close range in the 73rd minute.
Just four minutes later, Liverpool would double their lead in somewhat similar fashion, as Kostas Tsimikas charged down the left-hand side and crossed for Salah to net his 20th goal of the season via his thigh.
A return to winning ways was just what the doctor ordered for Liverpool before the weekend's clash with Manchester United, and Klopp revelled in the "super enjoyable" occasion at Anfield.
"I thought Anfield proved a point tonight again, it was super, super-enjoyable. It felt like a proper unit, we were all together – I loved that," the German added.
"That's what we need again on Sunday, but of course it will be difficult. Again, if you face United at the weekend whichever result you've had before, either way you have to strike back or whatever, but now we have to use it for our general situation. We have to build on the performance and on the result – and we try everything to do exactly that."
Liverpool have managed to cut the gap to fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur - who have played a game more - down to six points, while Newcastle United are two points better off in fifth with a game in hand. body check tags ::
