‘Our biggest problem’ - Jurgen Klopp pinpoints what went wrong for Liverpool in first half of Man City draw

Jurgen Klopp was pleased Liverpool earned a point against Manchester City after admitting his side failed to play like they are capable of in the first half at Anfield.

The Premier League title contenders shared a 2-2 draw on Sunday, with all four goals arriving after the interval.

‘Thank God there were two halves’

The Reds rode their luck against the current champions in the opening 45 minutes and could feel fortunate to go into the break goalless.

But the second period proved to be a rip-roaring affair. Sadio Mane and Mo Salah twice gave Liverpool the lead but they were cancelled out by Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne each time.

The stalemate means the Reds remain the only unbeaten team in the top flight and sit second in the table.

Klopp said: “Our biggest problem in the first half was we didn’t play football, that doesn’t help. You meet for a football game, people come into a stadium and you don’t play football – that sounds wrong and is wrong.

“So we needed to start playing football in the second half, we did that immediately. I think that was obvious for everybody - all of a sudden City had to run a lot, had to defend, completely different to the first half because we now played really good.

“If we would have played only the second half, I actually would have liked to win the game. But together with the first half I am not that cheeky, I think the point is fine.

“Thank God that there were two halves today because the first half was obviously exactly like you shouldn’t do it against City and the second half was exactly like you should do it against City.

“Four goals obviously happened in the second half but in the first half, I can’t remember a chance from us, if I’m right. So I was really happy about the half-time whistle so that we could adjust a few things.

“And actually we didn’t change anything, we just told the boys again what we actually wanted to or should have said already in the first half.”

Special Salah

Salah bagged his ninth goal in as many matches this season - and his 76th-minute strike was one of the best he's ever scored for Liverpool.

The Egyptian went on a slaloming run to beat several City defenders before firing a right-footed shot into the far corner.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Salah wished it would have been the match-winner - but felt a draw was fair.

He said: “I do remember it. It would be more special if it won the game, but it is what it is. It’s the result. I think it’s a good goal, nothing much to say.

“I think they created a lot of chances, they keep the ball a lot.

“So I wish I would say no, but it’s fair to say yes. They had a lot of chances and a draw is a good result for both.”