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Jurgen Klopp saluted a “special win” for Liverpool – and believes emergency goalkeeper Adrian was man of the match.

The Reds strengthened their grip at the top of the Premier League table with a tense 2-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.

The European champions were cruising after two first-half headers from Virgil van Dijk until Alisson Becker was dismissed in the 76th minute after handling inside the area.

Referee Martin Atkinson allowed Lewis Dunk to catch substitute keeper Adrian cold by scoring from the subsequent quickly-taken free-kick, although the Spaniard atoned with a brace of good saves in the closing stages.

And Klopp said: “It became more complicated with the red card and the change we had to make. We brought on a frozen goalkeeper.

“Everybody sitting here probably isn't warm yet. Imagine you go on there with shorts and a really thin shirt and some gloves that aren't made for keeping you warm.

“Then some people let the free-kick happen like that. When you looked a bit silly in that moment, you have to accept it.

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“But we kept on fighting, Adrian especially helped us a lot with two really good saves and catching crosses but with his cold feet he couldn’t kick the ball as far as he wanted!"

Klopp added: “Virgil with two goals will get man of the match, but for me Adrian was man of the match. It was really difficult for him when he came in.

“That kept it a bit interesting. But it's only important that we won the game.

(Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

“I am very happy about the effort of the boys and I'm proud of the desire the boys showed.

“The red card made it a really special win, to be honest.”