Jurgen Klopp was keen to praise Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones after Liverpool's 2-0 win against Napoli at Anfield on Tuesday evening.
The Reds won their final Champions League group game thanks to late goals from Mohamed Salah and Nunez. The result was not enough for Klopp's side to finish top of the group, as Napoli's superior goal difference was enough to give them the coveted spot.
Klopp surprised fans when he started Jones, a central midfielder by trade, on the left wing ahead of more conventional choices in Nunez, Fabio Carvalho and Harvey Elliott - who all started from the bench. Yet the decision was vindicated on Merseyside.
"Absolutely good," Klopp told reporters when asked about Nunez. "In these games for us it was not a game for massive rotation, because of the situation, but a little bit we had to and that is why we didn’t start all three [of Nunez, Salah and Roberto Firmino ].
"We had to see how we got through the game and I thought Curtis did really well in an unfamiliar position for him. He did really well and was involved in the game and then when you can bring on a fresh player with the quality of Darwin is very helpful. I’m really happy about that."
Klopp will be particularly happy with Nunez's goal, as he's received a lot of underserved criticism since his move from Benfica, which could be worth up to £85million. The Uruguayan has made a good start to life in England, scoring seven goals and providing two assists in 15 games.
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Liverpool have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League after finishing second in the group, despite winning five of their six games to pick up 15 points. In the end, their 4-1 defeat to Napoli in Italy in September proved to be the difference.
That means the Reds will face one of the eight group winners. As they can't be drawn against another Premier League team, there aren't many potential ties for Klopp's side. Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City are all set to finish as group winners.
Liverpool's potential opponents for the last 16 include Porto, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid or RB Leipzig, Paris Saint-Germain or Benfica. Their win against the latter side on Tuesday evening will fill them with confidence ahead of the knockout stages.
Liverpool are enduring a difficult campaign. Although they've won five consecutive games in Europe, their Premier League form is worrying. The Reds are currently ninth in the table after winning just four of the first 12 fixtures to sit 15 points behind leaders Arsenal.
Despite finishing second in the group, Klopp was delighted with his team's performance on Tuesday evening. He told BT Sport: "I would have really enjoyed the game even without the goals. We showed tonight a reaction. Being compact makes all the difference.
"We have challenges in the right placed and are difficult to play against. You see what Napoli are able to do in the moment. It was a really good game for us. Lot of courage and bravery. Going into challenges and making a fight of it. Two set-pieces bring us the points and 15 points in a Champions League group is insane."
