Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has told the club’s official website that his players targeting Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips at Elland Road yesterday.
The Reds won 3-0 against Leeds away from home at Elland Road yesterday.
The Whites went down to 10 men on the hour mark after defender Pascal Struijk was sent off for a challenge on Liverpool winger Harvey Elliott.
Liverpool were the better team throughout the 90 minutes and deservedly picked up all three points from the encounter.
Klopp told Liverpool’s official website: “Our idea was to cut out [Kalvin] Phillips, which is important; to cut out the passes they usually want to play, how they want to find him in the centre. That took a little bit of their game plan away or whatever.”
Did Liverpool’s plan work?
Phillips did not have a bad game and tried to push Liverpool forward, but the England international midfielder could not play the kind of passes that he usually does.
The Englishman could not control the tempo of the game and did not bring the calmness that he often does.
Phillips had a pass accuracy of 84.6%, took 67 touches, attempted two dribbles, made two tackles and two interceptions, and put in one cross.
On the other hand, Thiago was superb for Liverpool in the middle of the park and sprayed some wonderful passes.
The Spain international midfielder added composure to the Liverpool midfield and pushed the Reds forward.
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