Jurgen Klopp has warned it would be 'really dumb' to think Liverpool are back as his side prepare for a 'difficult' game against Newcastle United.
Liverpool recorded their first Premier League win of 2023 against bitter rivals Everton in the Merseyside derby on Monday night. Goals from Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo gave Liverpool a 2-0 victory at Anfield as Klopp's side moved within nine points of Newcastle with a game in hand.
Liverpool had lost three of their previous four league matches, conceding three goals in each of their defeats against Brentford, Brighton and Wolves on the road, but this ultimately proved a comfortable win on a night Virgil van Dijk, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino all returned to the match day squad following their respective spells on the sidelines. However, Klopp knows tougher tests lie in wait - starting with a trip to St James' on Saturday - if Liverpool are to get back in the race for the top four.
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"We have to prove it," the Liverpool boss told BBC Sport. "We cannot now say, 'That's it. We are back'. That would be really dumb, but it felt like us, it looked like us.
"It's not the best timing but if that's the moment, we take it and let's go from here - but we have to keep going. Very interesting and difficult games to play, but I think with that tonight everyone starts believing a little bit more again in us. It felt just like a massive relief after the game to be honest that we could play the game we played. Now, let's carry on."
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