When asked to account for how Liverpool went from "the end of an era" to reaching a new epoch in the space of just 90 minutes on Sunday, manager Jürgen Klopp simply said "the main difference is now we have all the players available."
During Liverpool's historic 7-0 pummeling of Manchester United, Klopp's charges played with lethal precision (seven goals off eight shots on target) while the Red Devils collapsed in the famed swirl of pandemonium that Anfield exerts on visiting teams when the Kop smells blood.
With the top four in touching distance and a trip to Madrid on the horizon, Klopp clearly just wants his best players available during the campaign's business end — players like left back Andrew Robertson, who created Sunday's opening goal and pocketed Antony throughout.
A SUPERB ball from Robertson leads to a BRILLIANT finish from Cody Gakpo! #MyPLMorning pic.twitter.com/NVvivmMQiW
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 5, 2023
I think that's why — after Roberto Firmino made it 7-0 in the 83rd minute — I thought Klopp was going to murder the pitch invader who basically two-footed Robertson during the wild celebrations.
Klopp and his assistants were celebrating the goal when it became clear that both Curtis Jones and Robertson had been taken out by an overzealous supporter.
The moment:
that fan sticking one on Robertson and Jones….missed Klopp wanting to fight him pic.twitter.com/dgmT0Gu6ZV
— (@DjimiTraore) March 5, 2023
Security escorted the fan past Klopp and the 55-year-old needed to be restrained.
¡Firmino se une a la fiesta!
El brasileño aprovecha las facilidades y marca el séptimo del @LFCLiverpool 7-0 Manchester United
@Telemundo y Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/sufx8D1dpm#LigaPremierTD pic.twitter.com/V8rBySA2Ob
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) March 5, 2023
Liverpool need the same performance from Robertson against Rodrygo and Real Madrid.
