Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has described the Sunderland side his team beat 2-0 as the "most defensive" he has ever seen during his lifetime.
The Reds took time to break down the Black Cats in the Premier League clash, with a Divock Origi goal with 15 minutes to go, followed up by a James Milner penalty sealing the win.
Liverpool had a massive 78% possession, while David Moyes' side only had one atempt on target during the 90 minutes and stoppage time.
Describing Sunderland's approach as one used by a "parking the bus team", Klopp felt the win was deserved but also emphasised that he had no problem with the opposition using conservative tactics.
"This was the most defensive team I ever saw in my life. Sunderland always play a defensive style and that is absolutely OK. We forced them to be very defensive. [Striker Victor] Anichebe played as a left full-back and so they had one striker and nine defenders, if you want. It is the most difficult thing in world football to come through but we had our moments, we had the chances, we stayed cool, we stayed concentrated, we worked for the moment and we got the three points," he said to BBC Sport after the game.
Klopp added that there was no update on Philippe Coutinho after the attacking midfielder suffered a worrying looking lower leg injury in the first half, forcing his withdrawal.
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