Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool's improved defending holds the key to toppling their fellow Premier League title contenders.

The Reds posted a significant statement of intent by maintaining their 100% start to the season with a 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on Saturday.

While no team has a better record against top-six opposition than Liverpool since Klopp's arrival in October 2015, last season they managed just one point from 15 in games at their nearest rivals.

And having registered a first victory in such a fixture in two years, the Reds boss has highlighted the one area in which his players have already improved this term.

“Two years ago, we had the best record in top-six games and when we played anyone else, it wasn't too cool,” said Klopp.

“Last year, our away record against the top six wasn't really good and I told the boys it wasn't because the games were away or because they were against the top six, it was because we didn't defend as good as we could.”

Liverpool shipped 15 goals in their visits to Manchester City, Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea last season, and Klopp added: “City isn't a good example, but at Wembley we defended badly, at United we defended badly and could still have got a point but our defending as a team wasn't good.

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“It was clear we had to defend against Tottenham (on Saturday) at the highest level and be really brave.

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“Against a pressing team like Tottenham, if you're not brave or confident then it's so difficult. You have to use the size of the Wembley pitch and that's what we did.

“Our runs in behind were brilliant and how we kept the ball was all good. But it's one game.”

Liverpool's start to the league season remains their best since 1990, with this only the fourth time since promotion back to the top flight in 1962 they have won their first three away games of the campaign.

Klopp was asked about his experience of winning the Bundesliga title with Borussia Dortmund for the first time in 2011, and when he first felt the championship was a possibility.

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His response underlined why he is refusing to become carried away by talk of a championship challenge from Liverpool.

“Matchday 32,” he said. “That was the first moment we had enough points, we became champions in that game and it was the exactly first moment I 'felt' it.

“You can be 10 points clear then you play Bayern and they win, it's seven points. Then it's Leverkusen. It's never there – the point is it's there when you really have it. I didn't 'feel' it before, 100%.

“I was confident about our football, but I never felt it. I don't need that thought to get up in the morning and say 'wow, we're still there, and it's still my team'. I don't need it.

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“I've been in football for most of my life without a little chance of winning anything. It's just important to be focused on the job you're doing.

“So I can tell you it’s not important. I’m sorry it’s a boring story, but I cannot deliver a more exciting one.”