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For the first time all afternoon, Jurgen Klopp’s shoulders sunk. For the first time, The Liverpool manager looked lost for words.

He had just been asked, predictably, whether victory over Chelsea meant his Reds side could now think about mounting a challenge for the Premier League title.

His response? “Please! Are you crazy?! I’ve been here three weeks!”

That, though, is the Klopp effect. And wins like Saturday’s will only add to the frenzy. After months of regression, rowing and negativity, optimism is back in fashion where Liverpool are concerned.

This was a triumph on many fronts for Klopp and his side. They scored more than once in a game for only the second time this season, they recovered to win a game having conceded first for the first time in 11 months, and they managed a victory at Stamford Bridge for the first time in four years. Psychological barriers may be overstated at times, but Liverpool certainly overcame a few here.

IN PICS: Chelsea 1-3 Liverpool

Tactically excellent

Klopp’s motivational powers are well-documented, and they were in evidence here as he urged his players on from the sideline throughout.

James Milner, Lucas Leiva and Nathaniel Clyne all felt the force of his criticism during the first half, though frustration had turned to delight by the final whistle, with the German embracing each and every one of his men.

Man management is a huge part of football at the highest level, of course, but for Klopp this triumph was about more. It also showcased his tactical prowess, his ability to work out his opponent’s weaknesses, and to change the flow of the game with his substitutes. Feathers in the cap for the manager, who seems to be getting the buy-in of his players, big time.

No striker, but Firmino proves his worth

There were plenty of raised eyebrows when news began to filter through, early on Saturday morning, that Christian Benteke would be on the bench for this game. Roberto Firmino, fresh from an encouraging midweek performance, would be the man asked to play furthest forward, supported by Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho.

It is tempting to view that as a negative move by Klopp – though Benteke’s ongoing knee issue is clearly one which will require careful management – but the presence of Firmino, Lallana and Coutinho enabled Liverpool both to press from the front effectively, and to work the ball between Chelsea’s lines with regularity.

Firmino, though rarely in a position to get shots away, did well keeping John Terry and co occupied, and was a willing recipient for passes in and around the box, in a way that, say, Divock Origi may not have been.

Liverpool had already had a few moments of encouragement by the time their equaliser came, right on the stroke of half time. Firmino was involved, showing for a James Milner pass and laying off shrewdly for Coutinho, who did the rest in spectacular fashion. In an instant, the game was in Liverpool’s hands.

(Image: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Exploiting weaknesses, and the subs’ bench

The decline of Chelsea this season has been as spectacular as it is surprising, and Liverpool were brutal in exposing the hosts’ weaknesses here.

While Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho kept Diego Costa quiet at one end, the visitors were able to retain their threat at the other, moving the ball quickly through midfield into dangerous areas, and pressing a nervous Chelsea into errors.

Jose Mourinho’s response, as his side struggled for rhythm, was to take off Eden Hazard – so often a thorn in Liverpool’s side. It looked a backwards step, even if the Belgian had not been especially effective.

Klopp’s riposte, five minutes later, spoke volumes. Off went Milner, who had been sloppy, and on came Benteke, with Firmino dropping back on the right-hand side.

This was what Liverpool had planned for, a second-half burst from their No.9, at a time when the game was there for the taking. Benteke’s first act was to flatten Kurt Zouma in an aerial challenge, and within 10 minutes he had set up the game’s decisive goal.

It was a strike which showcased both sides of what Klopp is after at Liverpool. A spell of controlled possession, followed by a quick switch of play from Sakho, Benteke, pulling away onto the smaller Cesar Azpilicueta, wins the ball and Liverpool have two men, Lallana and Coutinho, gambling on the knock down.

Lallana didn’t make it, but Coutinho did – 2-1, and Klopp’s substitution pays off handsomely.

So too did his next one. With the away end still in raptures, he sent on Jordon Ibe for the tired Firmino. The young winger had looked re-energised against Bournemouth in midweek, and he would play a part in Liverpool’s third goal, with Lallana dummying his astute pass for Benteke, who did the rest in clinical fashion.

Lessons to be learned

Klopp was right to be careful when asked how far his side could go this season. Good win though this was, it came against a side that is clearly in disarray, and there remain obvious areas for improvement in Liverpool’s performance levels.

Klopp, clearly, is desperate for them to move the ball quicker, and to stretch the game at every opportunity. He implored Nathaniel Clyne to create an outlet down the right, and roared at Lucas Leiva to circulate the ball without taking unnecessary extra touches in midfield.

Both Lucas and Emre Can were guilty of ceding possession in dangerous areas too often – an issue that will be punished by more confident teams, surely – while the ball-watching of Alberto Moreno has to stop. Klopp wants an attack-minded team, obviously, but his full-backs’ first task is to defend, and the Spaniard needs to do it better.

In the main, though, this was as encouraging an afternoon as Liverpool could have wished for.

The new man in charge at Anfield may not have a magic wand in his back pocket, but he’s having an effect on this team.

What have you made of Klopp at Anfield so far? Let us know below, or @LivEchoLFC!