Jurgen Klopp said he has "never had a group" like this Liverpool squad and called on his players to fight until the very end after a 2-1 win over Southampton on Tuesday ensured the Premier League title race will go down to the final day of the season.
A Liverpool side featuring nine changes to the team that won the FA Cup on Saturday responded to going behind to Nathan Redmond's 13th-minute opener with goals from Takumi Minamino and Joel Matip, moving the Reds to within one point of leaders and defending champions Manchester City.
After the exhaustive 120 minutes and penalty shootout win over Chelsea at Wembley, Klopp said he had no choice but to ring the changes, and the German expressed his pride at the players who stepped in and kept alive the club's title bid.
"It's unbelievable, what they've done makes it even more special," Klopp said. "Outstanding. What can I say about this group? It's a crime Minamino doesn't play more, Harvey [Elliott] didn't play for a long time. Curtis [Jones] didn't play much. They deliver, it's unbelievable. Making nine changes and this performance is exceptional.
"We would have had much more problems today if we'd played the guys who played 120 minutes on Saturday.
"I ask for a lot. I saw them enjoying the game and playing football. We conceded a goal out of nothing, It looked like a foul. I'm really proud of the boys. Since January we only drew three times. We had corona outbreaks.
"I never had a group like this. They push each other constantly. Tonight is really special. It worked out because of the boys."
Southampton v Liverpool player ratings
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SOUTHAMPTON RATINGS: Alex McCarthy – 5. The 32-year-old was playing his first game this year and looked rusty. He should have done better at the near post for the equaliser but had no chance for the winning goal. Reuters -
Kyle Walker-Peters – 5. The 25-year-old did well going forward and was largely secure in defence. He was very slow to react for Matip’s goal, a moment that spoiled his performance. AFP -
Lyanco – 6. The Brazilian was robust in the tackle and good in the air but his distribution was poor. His challenge on Jota started the move that led to Redmond’s goal. Getty -
Jack Stephens – 5. The 28-year-old was physical and strong but his lack of composure on the ball let him down. He should have been quicker to close down Minamino for the equalizer. Getty -
Mohammed Salisu – 5. The Ghanaian tried to give his team width when they had the ball and tuck back in when Liverpool had possession. This led to him being caught in no-man’s land before Minamino’s equaliser and missing a cross that he should have cut out. AP -
Nathan Redmond – 7. The 28-year-old scored an excellent goal but his withdrawn role meant he did not get forward often enough. He did what was asked of him but he could have been used more positively. AP -
Mohamed Elyounoussi – 3. The 27-year-old was peripheral until his dreadful attempted clearance sent the ball in Matip’s direction for the winning goal. It was not a display he will remember fondly. Reuters -
James Ward-Prowse – 5. The 27-year-old sat too deep to have much impact on the game. His defensive work was to the fore but that did not play to his strengths. Getty -
Ibrahima Diallo – 4. The Frenchman looked nervous from the start and was an easy victim for the Liverpool press. He was replaced by Romeu in the 71st minute. Getty -
Nathan Tella – 5. The 22-year-old showed some promise when he linked with Redmond for the opening goal but he drifted out of the game in the second half. Armstrong came on for him in the 71st minute. Getty -
Armando Broja – 6. It was a frustrating night for the 20-year-old, who took up potentially interesting positions but did not receive much service. He made way for Adams with eight minutes to go. AFP -
SUBS: Stuart Armstrong – 5. The Scot joined the action in place of Tella in the 71st minute. He hardly touched the ball in a dispiriting cameo. EPA -
Oriol Romeu – 5. The Spaniard replaced Diallo with 19 minutes to go. He was unable to gain a foothold in the midfield as Liverpool dominated the closing stages. Getty -
Che Adams – 5. The 25-year-old was sent on for Broja for the last eight minutes. There was nothing he could do to change the direction of the game. Getty -
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker – 6. The Brazilian blocked a Broja shot at the near post early on but could do nothing to stop Redmond’s deflected goal. After the early flurry of action he had little to do. PA -
Joe Gomez – 6. The 24-year-old showed Redmond the inside for Southampton’s goal but might have expected more help from Milner. His cross to Jota helped set up the equaliser. He was injured and replaced by Henderson at the break. AP -
Joel Matip – 7. The 30-year-old looked a little nervous early on but grew in authority as the game developed. He was delighted to score the winning goal, even if he didn’t know much about it. AFP -
Ibrahima Konate – 6. The Frenchman had a couple of awkward moments against Broja but showed good positional sense. His distribution still needs work. Reuters -
Kostas Tsimikas – 8. The Greek provided width and his crossing was dangerous. The winning goal came from his corner, which was ironically one of his less impressive deliveries. AFP -
Harvey Elliott – 7. The 19-year-old was eager to get on the ball and used possession intelligently. He made way for Origi in the 65th minute after an encouraging performance. AFP -
James Milner – 8. The 36-year-old led the press in the first half and used the ball effectively. He might have done more to help out Gomez for the Southampton goal but when he moved to right-back he was a bundle of energy and aggression. AP -
Curtis Jones – 6. The 21-year-old was not at his best early on but he improved considerably. He was not afraid run at defenders. AP Photo -
Takumi Minamino – 7. The Japanese never lacks effort and was rewarded with a splendid goal against the club he was loaned to last season. His busy approach kept the defenders occupied. AP -
Roberto Firmino – 7. The Brazilian was neat with his link-up play and repeatedly took up threatening positions. He was withdrawn for Keita with seven minutes left. Getty -
Diogo Jota – 7. The Portuguese set up Minamino’s goal and was generous in trying to assist teammates. He had two efforts on goal but his all-round play was to the fore rather than his finishing. Getty -
SUBS: Jordan Henderson – 7. The 31-year-old came on for Gomez after the break and ensured Liverpool retained control of the midfield. He was unceasing in his work. EPA -
Divock Origi – 6. The Belgian replaced Elliott in the 66th minute and held up the ball with characteristic strength. He headed over from a corner. Reuters -
Naby Keita – 6. The Guinean was given the last seven minutes at Firmino’s expense. He helped his team see out the victory. AP Photo
Having secured both domestic cups - Liverpool also beat Chelsea on penalties in the League Cup final in February - and with a Champions League final against Real Madrid on the horizon, the Reds can still secure an unprecedented quadruple. However, they will need to beat Wolves on Sunday and hope Aston Villa prevent a City victory at the Etihad Stadium, and Klopp has said Liverpool will keep believing until the last moment.
"Of course it is unlikely because City play at home against Aston Villa, who play only on Thursday," Klopp said. "But it is football. I think the time when City became champions [in 2019] it was because of 11 millimetres. If someone wants us to be champion then we have to win first and Aston Villa need to get a point at City.
"It is possible, not likely but possible. That is enough."
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson echoed his manager's sentiments and said there is no time to rest or lose focus, with two potentially season-defining matches to come.
"The aim was to take it to the end. We knew it would be difficult. A lot of changes. The lads were brilliant. They kept going right to the end and got the reward," the England midfielder said.
"We've done that really well all season, the lads who haven't played as much as they'd like took their opportunity. You need everyone in a Premier League season.
"We're used to it, we're constantly in cup finals every game. It's normal, you get on with it. We can all celebrate or relax at the end of the season after the Champions League final."
