Klopp Insists 9-0 Liverpool Had a ‘Point to Prove’

Liverpool had a “point to prove” following their winless start to the season, according to Jurgen Klopp after they routed Bournemouth 9-0.

The Reds were in a ruthless mood having drawn with Fulham and Crystal Palace to start the new Premier League season followed by Monday’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United.

Luis Diaz and Roberto Firmino grabbed doubles, while there were goals for Harvey Elliott, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Fabio Carvalho with a Chris Mepham own goal.

Liverpool were 2-0 up inside six minutes and 5-0 at the break, following talk the title was already lost after their poor start to the campaign.

“We had to prove a point – we had to prove a point for ourselves,” Klopp said.

“After a short pre-season with mixed results; good performances and less good performances, which is completely normal for a pre-season.

“Having an absolute highlight that early in the season and playing really good stuff (against Manchester City in the Community Shield) and then dropping for some reason.

“We were not happy with the way we played; we had good moments in nearly all the games. We showed things which we are strong at and other things where we have to improve and that’s what we had to do today, but you cannot make a list and take them all off the list step by step.”

Firmino also provided three assists to cap a fantastic game for the Brazilian.

“Yeah, top!” Klopp said about his display.

“In a bunch of outstanding football players and top performances today; loved Robbo’s (Andy Robertson) impact. For example, he makes all the difference for us when he’s that lively.

“But Bobby, yes. He played, I know that’s not the moment to talk about individual performances when you lose at Man United 2-1, but he played a really good game there.

“Imagine a game against United where we have near 70 per cent possession without Bobby, it would probably have been 49, or whatever, so he was everywhere, but today was a completely different game.

“So for him, again, high up the pitch, more between the centre-halves, dropping, yes, but in different areas between the different lines and arriving in the box, being part of the massive chance in the first half when it was the little one-two with Harvey I think, backheel – that’s Bobby Firmino how we all know him.

“For him, if you talk about what kind you get off the chest, this was a massive game today. So, and the timing couldn’t have been better, to be honest.”