Jamie Carragher claimed Jurgen Klopp deserves 'great credit' for acting quicker than usual with his substitutions during the Merseyside derby victory - and the Liverpool boss has now explained his decision.
The Toffees turned up to frustrate at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, but their stubborn resistance was broken just after the hour-mark when Andy Robertson headed home Mo Salah's cross. Substitute Divock Origi's first touch helped create the opening goal, before the cult hero reacted quickest to seal the win five minutes' from time.
Liverpool's imperious form combined with Everton's dismal record on the road meant the odds were firmly stacked against Frank Lampard's side repeating last season's rare derby-day success. However, despite slipping into the relegation zone that afternoon courtesy of Burnley's win over Wolves, the Toffees managed to stifle the hosts.
Liverpool were unable to replicate the swashbuckling swagger of their comfortable midweek victory over Manchester United, and the match changed on Klopp's double substitution in the 60th minute. Naby Keita and Sadio Mane were replaced by Luis Diaz and Origi, with the former providing another lively cameo.
Origi is set to leave the quadruple-chasers this summer having struggled for minutes again this season, but the 27-year-old provided yet another decisive moment in a Merseyside derby. Carragher praised Klopp for making the changes needed to finally breach Everton's defence, insisting the Reds' boss turned to his bench earlier than usual.
The pundit told Sky Sports: " Everton played the whole game that there was five minutes to go. I didn’t expect that. To make that change with Origi, I think Klopp knew what game this was. Great credit to Klopp, he doesn’t normally go that early."
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Everton's gameplan of ceding possession and territory and challenging Liverpool to break them down proved effective for long spells of the contest. Lampard's side had just one shot on target and 17% possession, but posed a threat on the counter through the pace of Anthony Gordon.
Liverpool could not afford to drop points in the title race following Manchester City's emphatic victory over Watford the day before. Speaking after wrapping up a 2-0 victory, Klopp admits his side had to 'step up' following a poor first-half showing.
The Reds' boss told Sky Sports: "A football game has two halves; thank God. In the first half, we didn't pass quick enough, accelerate at the right moments, pass in behind.
"We had lots of things to improve on and we did; it is really difficult to deal with over 80% possession and the counter-attacking threat of the opponent. At half-time, I told the players it was easy to improve. We didn't really show up, so they stepped up. I'm really happy because it isn't about flying every week, it is about getting results. We had to work hard for it, but all good."
Klopp embraced with goalscorer Origi following the full-time whistle in front of the Sky Sports cameras. The German hailed the striker as a Liverpool 'legend', and believes the substitute played a vital role in securing the win.
Klopp added: "We will never miss a player like him because if he leaves, he will explode wherever he goes. He is a world-class striker, he is a legend and will stay a legend forever. He doesn't always make the squad which is ridiculous, but he is there when we need him every time. He was involved in both games; everything that we did in the second half, without Divock, [that] wouldn't have happened."
