Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says his players have earned some easier victories after a hard-fought 2-1 Premier League win over Sheffield United on Saturday.
After two top-flight games without tasting success, the champions returned to winning ways after Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota overturned Sander Berge s early penalty for Chris Wilder s side, who remain winless so far this season.
The result extended the Reds unbeaten run at Anfield in the Premier League to 62 games and Klopp who disputed the decision to award the Blades a spot-kick for Fabinho s challenge on Oliver McBurnie praised the relentless nature of his side.
You always have to work hard against Sheffield United. It s hard to take for Chris Wilder, he told BBC Sport.
The penalty was not even a foul. We have had an injustice and we have had to go again. I love these games, as you earn all of the rest. You earn the easier games when it all goes your way on nights like this.
We struggled with McBurnie in the first half but we changed our positioning and won the second balls. We were dominating at 2-1 and had some really good football but then they came back.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC)
They never give up, I respect that so much. They go and go and go. Chris is doing a wonderful job.
With the injured Virgil van Dijk absent for the first time in 95 Premier League games, Liverpool never looked completely comfortable at the back and allowed the Blades 13 shots on goal.
Captain Jordan Henderson conceded the champions were far from their best but took encouragement from their ability to carve out a positive result.
It was hard as expected, he said. They are a good side who work really hard. We knew it would be difficult and we are delighted to get the points.
McBurnie was very good in the air so it was hard for the lads at the back, but they coped and worked it out better in the second half. We should have killed the game off with another goal or two.
I am only interested in the mentality in our changing room and I see hunger, resilience, character to dig in and win if you are not playing at your best. We showed we can dig in and see results out.
