Klopp declares himself 'very happy' with Europa progression
Jürgen Klopp declared himself delighted at Liverpool’s progression into the Europa League knockout stages with a game to spare after Thursday’s 2-1 win over Bordeaux at Anfield.
The Reds recovered from Henri Saivet’s free-kick opener to first draw level through a James Milner penalty before Christian Benteke’s blast put them in front.
The result means Liverpool take top spot in Europa League Group B with one fixture still to play – against FC Sion in Switzerland – and contest the last 32 of the tournament.
Afterwards, Klopp told his post-match press conference: “I am very happy to have qualified, the team are very happy to have qualified, the club are very happy to be qualified, so you [the press] can be very happy to have qualified!
“[Finishing] top of the table is important, but not the most important thing because there are only good teams in the next round.
“We will try everything when we travel to Sion in two weeks, but there are 50 games between then and now!
“We have to think about Swansea from tomorrow onwards and that’s what we will do.”
Liverpool were made to work hard for their win by a Bordeaux side desperately trying to avoid elimination from the Europa League.
Klopp acknowledged the French side posed a real threat, particularly in the final stages of the contest, but was pleased to see the Reds safely navigate their way into the next phase.
“There were many good things in this game tonight, but some things were difficult,” he said.
“After the half-time score, Bordeaux had to go with a little bit more risk and it was more difficult for us because we lost a little bit of the control in the game. We couldn’t close the half spaces in the midfield, we were too wide on the wings or sometimes we were too deep.
“They did well but we knew [about them] before and that it can be difficult to defend against them, so you have to be better with the ball and then they cannot do this.
“The first half was okay, the start of the second half was okay and then it became more difficult, but that’s normal with this result.
“It was a big fight, so we’re very satisfied because the easy games everybody can win. You have to win the tough games – and it was a tough game. It was a cool night!”