Jurgen Klopp has praised his side's intensity but also highlighted the need for improvement after Liverpool enjoyed a comfortable 3-1 win over Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday evening.
"I saw a brilliant game of my side. So early in the season. It was outstanding," Klopp said after the game.
"A performance full of power, full of energy, full of greed, full of passion which I think you need to have against such a good team like Arsenal.
"We were a bit surprised by the system they played, you cannot prepare that they play a diamond but we adapted well to that.
"We switched the sides, we had constant crosses. We were really in charge of the game."
While Klopp gushed over his players' performance, the German manager also noted that there was a need for improvement and that his side "should have controlled it better".
"They didn't attack really so we could have just kept the ball.
"We are not Disneyland so we don't have to excite everybody in each second of the game. It was intense, the decision making could have been a little better."
"However, apart from the really big chance that they had when Hendo [Jordan Henderson] missed the ball – sensational save from Adrian – apart from that I was really, completely happy with the game."
Joel Matip opened the scoring for the Reds just before half-time with a header from a corner taken by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
In the 49th minute, Liverpool were rewarded a penalty as Mo Salah was needlessly dragged by new signing David Luiz in the area.
The Egyptian stepped up to take it and sent a wonderful shot into the top left corner that no one could have saved.
Then 10 minutes later he embarrassed Luiz again as he went on a dazzling run that ended with a low, curling finish into the bottom corner that saw Liverpool go 3-0 up.
"We were really brave in our protection," Klopp said of his defence after the game.
"[We] played pretty much against Pepe and Aubameyang 'man v man' so that we had enough bodies and legs to put them under pressure.
"We had the full-backs really high in this offensive pressing situation. The boys did what we wanted them to do and scored wonderful goals.
"The work-rate of the boys is exceptional. Our identity is intensity."
Klopp was pleased too with the clear improvement his side showed from their previous two wins over Southampton and Norwich.
"What we did really well in the opening games we did today for longer and more precise."
The only negative to be taken from the Liverpool performance is the lack of a clean-sheet, meaning new goalkeeper Adrian is yet to keep one as he fills in for injured Alisson.
"It's important, I would have loved to have it to be honest but they're a quality side; Arsenal, they never give up.
"I didn't see that many chances and we were really in charge and won the game we completely deserved."
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
