Football
Glenn Price, Liverpool correspondent 7y

Emre Can overhead goal 'special and really wonderful' - Liverpool's Klopp

Jurgen Klopp admits even he was surprised by Emre Can's brilliant match-winning goal in Liverpool's 1-0 victory over Watford on Monday night.

Can's stunning first-half overhead kick was enough to secure Klopp's side a vital three points in their hopes to secure Champions League qualification.

Liverpool stay third in the Premier League table and made the most of top-four rivals Manchester United and Manchester City dropping points on the weekend.

"I would like to say I'm used to it, but it's not the truth, especially not from Emre," Klopp told Sky Sports when asked about Can's goal.

"It's deserved. In football you need this kind of luck, but we worked hard for it. We tried to play as good football as it's possible against an opponent like this.

"We stood patient and played football and tried to create moment. The goal we scored was spectacular, but the pass ... we wanted to play actually. It's pretty special and really wonderful.

"It was clear we have to work and that's what we did. It will not be easy for anybody to win here because Watford really improved a lot in the last few months. We are really happy."

Liverpool's night got off to a difficult start when Philippe Coutinho was forced off early after suffering a dead leg following a tackle from Adrian Mariappa inside four minutes.

The Brazilian tried to continue, but was clearly hobbling and replaced by Adam Lallana in the 13th minute.

Klopp says he was pleased with the way his players dug out a result in difficult circumstances.

"It feels really good, how you can imagine," the Reds boss said. "It was a difficult game to play.

"I thought we started really well and then we had to change Phil -- a really important player -- and then you have Adam Lallana on the bench who had only trained twice with the team after four weeks [out], so not really a perfect start to the game.

"I thought the boys really did well. We could have done better, of course. But tonight I'm fine with the performance."

Although his side have the points on the board, Klopp is still taking nothing for granted as he looks to guide the Reds back into the Champions League.

"It is not important, if we give it away it means nothing," he said of their lead. "We have pressure and it means you fight for something that is good. It is positive pressure. We want to stay focused.

"We don't expect for a second it will be easy. If people think we have the three points against Southampton they can not have seen Southampton this season.

Press Association contributed to this report.

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