Jurgen Klopp hails Liverpool's 'dominant football' against AC Milan

Santa Clara, Calif. -- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp put Saturday's 2-0 win over AC Milan down to the team's impressive performance rather than individual ability.

The Reds ran out convincing winners at Levi's Stadium in the International Champions Cup fixture with second-half goals from Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino.

Origi broke the deadlock against the Serie A outfit following a wonderful strike in the 58th minute, with the Belgian striker impressing in his first appearance of the preseason.


However, Klopp insisted in a news conference after the meeting with the Italian side that the victory came from efforts by all those that featured.

"Everybody knows about the potential of Divock Origi. I understand that after a game like this you name single players," Klopp said.
"But I think, especially tonight, it is not the night to talk about single players. If you want to talk, then it's [about] the style of play, the dominance we had, the passing.

"The situation we had in the first half -- we played brilliant, we did the right thing, we did the right thing, we passed all time until we were through. We created chances, we didn't score -- that's right. Of course, you need a finish but that will come 100 percent."

He added: "I said before the game that I'm really happy about the opponents because Italian teams are always organised and they make problems and you will always struggle with different things in a game because it is not easy to play them.

"We did really well and scored the goals and wonderful goals [and] had one or two more chances. In the first half we had four or five big moments.

"Playing dominant football like this and then reacting on balls we lose, like we did in the counter-pressing situations -- that's the only moment where there should be a little moment of hectic, all the rest should be calm and dominant.

"I'm pleased with the performance of the whole team."

Meanwhile, the Reds boss admitted that he is unsure on whether young winger Sheyi Ojo will remain with the first-team squad this season or head out on loan to gain regular action and experience.
The 19-year-old joined Klopp's team on the preseason tour immediately after taking part in this summer's under-19 European Championships with England.

"I don't know, we have to see," The German said. "He's a wonderful player that's for sure. His future is 100 percent at Liverpool. [But] the near future, we didn't make decisions. I don't think we have to make decisions so early.

"We have time and we have to use the time. We have already a few injuries, nor the biggest but in the wrong positions, I would say. We have to be cool enough to train and to make the boys as big as possible and Ojo is with us since five days, he came to us direct from the tournament. We will see but his future is at Liverpool."