Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp has insisted that his players expected Everton goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford’s time-wasting tactics following the Reds’ 2-0 win over the Toffees on Sunday.
Liverpool found it difficult to get going in the first half as Frank Lampard’s men frustrated their Merseyside rivals with a combative performance.
But the Reds came back stronger in the second half, with goals from Andy Robertson and Divock Origi deciding the Merseyside derby.
Pickford tried to frustrate Liverpool in the closing stages of the first half, as he made a routine catch before dropping to the floor and smiling.
Addressing the press after the game, the German manager admitted his players struggled to cope with the Toffees’ stifling tactics in the opening 45 minutes.
“Obviously, thank god the game has two halves,” Klopp told BBC Sport.
“Yes, of course we expected it, but we didn’t react extremely well.
“It’s difficult, each ball Pickford has he takes five minutes, so we couldn’t gain rhythm, which is important if you want to break down a low block.
“That’s what we expected them to do, we just should’ve coped better with it,” he added.