Jurgen Klopp snapped back after being asked about title rivals Manchester City following Liverpool 's hard-fought win against Newcastle.
The Reds beat the Magpies 1-0 at St James' Park to move top of the Premier League table, as Naby Keita scored a delightful goal in the 20th minute which made the all-important difference. Later on Saturday, in the evening kick-off, City travel to Leeds, who have promised put up a fight and do Liverpool a favour.
Klopp, however, says that he is not interested in how Pep Guardiola 's side get on in Yorkshire, instead focusing next Tuesday's Champions League semi-final opponents, Villarreal, who they lead 2-0 on aggressive after a commanding win on Wednesday. Asked by BT Sport if the spotlight was now on City, the Reds boss replied: "No, to Villarreal. They are 2-1 down, playing at the moment [versus Alaves ]. That's what I'm interested in. I haven't thought a second until now about City, but immediately about Villarreal."
Klopp instead chose to focus on Liverpool's stars on Tyneside, having made five changes to his starting XI which included Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Praising his team's performance, the German explained: "You can have a team in form, [against] a crowd who are waiting for ages for proper success, so coming here with five changes and building a new set-up is really difficult.
"The performance was absolutely outstanding, I loved it. We had some moments when we struggled because it's so difficult. The impact we have off the bench in game is outstanding, We expect a lot but the boys haver to deliver. But Joe Gomez, what a game. Naby Keita, what a game. James Milner, what a game. Andrew Robertson, 93rd minute, running up and down; absolutely brilliant.
"You cannot really defend them properly because it's always just these long balls. Really difficult to get a feeling of the game. I really thought we dealt with it well. We had to adapt at moments, but the most important thing was putting Naby in front. It was good, great atmosphere. Newcastle are a passionate crowd and winning here is special."
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Defender Robertson - one of six players to keep their place - echoed his manager's thoughts, adding: "Today I thought we were solid. They didn't have many chances from what I can remember, Joe Gomez was different class. A lot of us are fit and healthy, fighting for a place in the starting 11."
On the joy of sitting at the summit of the Premier League for at least a few hours, the left-back noted: "Let's see how long it lasts but we just need to win our games."
