LISTEN: Jurgen Klopp delighted Liverpool survived ‘punch in the face’ to see out win against West Brom

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he was delighted his side survived a last ditch attempt by West Brom to salvage a point at Anfield.

Goals from Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho proved to be enough for the Reds to seal all three points despite a late goal by Gareth McAuley threatening a dramatic comeback.

The Baggies pulled a goal back with eight minutes remaining of normal time as Tony Pulis’ side searched for a scarcely deserved equaliser.

But Klopp was in no mood to criticise his players following the narrow victory.

“All that the boys did was so positive, [so] I cannot say ‘this [is wrong]’. We know we have to carry on,” Klopp told talkSPORT.

“Football is not like cycling, when you stop thinking of the right things you fall immediately - from a football side - because everybody will punch you in the face.

“It was quite an intense game. The way that we played tonight was the way you have to play against West Brom, so I’m really delighted.”

The result sees Liverpool move into second place in the table but it could have been even better for Klopp’s men if they had secured a clean sheet.

McAuley’s late goal resulted in Liverpool losing top spot to Arsenal based on goal difference but Klopp believed there was little his defence could do to prevent the visitors profiting from a set-piece.

“Nobody was delighted with the goal we conceded but it is difficult [to stop]. The best plan is to have no set pieces against you and that’s what we tried to do. Things can happen, and that’s how it is.

“We’re becoming stronger and stronger in situations like this - but for West Brom today - it was difficult, they are specialists in [set-pieces].

Liverpool are the league’s leading goal scorers - notching 20 goals in their opening nine games. And Klopp is confident that his free flowing side can provide plenty of entertainment this season.

“Even this goal wasn’t a big problem because we were dominant again - of course they wanted the next set-piece - but again we were dominant, again we had chances.

“And we could have closed the game much earlier but Liverpool football, you know how it is, full package until the last second, so if you want to be excited come here.”