I Apologised To Marco Silva For My Celebration – Klopp

Jurgen Klopp has said he apologised to Everton boss Marco Silva for excessively celebrating Liverpool’s stoppage time winner in the Merseyside derby on Sunday.

Divock Origi was the unlikely hero at Anfield as he scored from inches out in the 96th minute to ensure the gap between Liverpool and Premier League leaders Manchester City remains at two points.

Klopp reacted to the goal by running to the centre circle and celebrating with Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.

“Immediately after the game I apologised to Marco Silva when we spoke to each other,” Klopp said. “I told him how much I respect his work because it’s incredible what he did with that team. They are just an outstanding side and it was a difficult game today.

“Derbies are always difficult but it was a completely different difficult to the last few years.

“What can I say about it? I didn’t want to run, it was not my plan. I didn’t want to run to Ali [Alisson], I couldn’t stop obviously. Not cool, but it happened.”

Match-winner Origi emerged as a substitute in the 84th minute, replacing Roberto Firmino.

Before the striker’s intervention which came from a mishit shot by Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool had been frustrated by Everton and, in particular, their goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

“Both teams delivered a proper fight, proper derby from the first second,” Klopp said. “Our high pressure was outstanding, our counter-pressing was really at [the] highest level. Football-wise, in a lot of moments [we were] really good.

“[We] tried to control the game, which is difficult because they controlled the spaces really well. How [is] always, we could have done better in a few moments.

“Ali made an outstanding save and then Joe Gomez made an outstanding save. I don’t know how those two guys cleared that situation.

“We had our moments. Sadio was in very good positions to finish off, but both goalkeepers were really there and had an outstanding performance tonight. That’s why it was open until the last second obviously.

“We had that free kick. We had a formation for second balls, which is pretty rare in a situation like that because everybody wants to be in the box, wants to be the one who scores.

“Of course, it was a bit lucky. Virg [van Dijk], whatever it was in the moment it left the foot, I thought it’s over. And then you see that there’s backspin and you see the ball hits the crossbar. It was a very unthankful job for Pickford. Divock was there.

“Very intense game and obviously a much nicer finish for us.”