'The fight between Taiwo and Ibu' - Jurgen Klopp insists Nottingham Forest were 'superphysical'

Liverpool are a little bit closer to the top four after their hard-fought 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday. 

With seven games left to the end of the season, only six points separate Liverpool from fourth-placed Newcastle United, who have a game in hand over the Reds.

In terms of taking away something from the game, Nottingham Forest went toe-to-toe with their illustrious rivals all the way to the end but ultimately were not rewarded as Mohamed Salah netted what proved to be the game-winning goal with 20 minutes left on the clock.

There were individual battles across the pitch, one of which saw Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi matching himself up against France international Ibrahima Konate. 

And it was a battle Konate lost as he was bullied by Awoniyi, especially in the second half. 

Speaking shortly after the game, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp cited the physical battles between Konate and Awoniyi to buttress his point that Nottingham Forest were too physical against his side. 

"Nottingham Forest were superphysical with the one v one challenges, with Ibu especially (Ibrahima Konate), " Klopp told the match broadcaster. 

"The fight between Taiwo and Ibu, too many situations we couldn't clear properly and that's when the ball stays in that area instead of we keeping it and controlling it again. 

"Apart from that I am really pleased with a lot of things because it was hard work but we did it and we got all three points. It's what we deserved today so I'm really happy."

After a goalless first half, Neco Williams' deflected strike and Morgan Gibbs-White's volley canceled out Diogo Jota's brace, before Salah netted his 183rd goal in Liverpool colours to win it.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit : nottinghamforest.co.uk

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