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Jurgen Klopp saluted “outstanding” centre-backs Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren as he dismissed suggestions that Liverpool’s pursuit of glory could be hampered by defensive weakness.

The Reds sit third in the Premier League table but are level points with leaders Manchester City, who were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Southampton on Sunday.

Klopp’s men survived a late scare in Saturday’s 2-1 win over West Brom after Gareth McAuley pulled one back from a corner. Liverpool have only kept one clean sheet in the league so far this term but the manager insists any criticism of his backline is misplaced.

Klopp was delighted with how Matip and Lovren dealt with an aerial bombardment from the Baggies.

“I heard it a few times (that Liverpool are suspect defensively) but I lose respect when people say this,” Klopp said.

“That’s not important because I do not have to respect everybody and I don’t need most of the people.

“I’m the coach of this team, I’m really close to them. I see all the games from quite a good perspective.

“We defended well against United, brilliant, and then against West Brom it was so difficult but we have no defensive problem.

“We needed to be really aggressive to defend their long balls from the first moment without making fouls. That’s quite a challenge but they did brilliantly. When the ball is in the air, (Salomon) Rondon wants the ball or a foul, so Dejan and Joel were outstanding.

“And you cannot imagine in what good shape (Alberto) Moreno, Lucas Leiva, (Ragnar) Klavan and Trent Alexander-Arnold are so that’s all good.”

McAuley’s consolation was the 17th time Liverpool that have conceded from a set-piece since Klopp took over last October. It’s been a long-term issue for the Reds but Klopp says they are doing everything possible to address it.

“It’s good that people can talk about something,” Klopp said.

“Do you believe we work on it? Really, really work on it. Yes? But then there is another team and did you see who was in it. They are all my size and then they brought the set-piece specialist on (Chris Brunt) who was injured for a long time. They are brilliant at set-pieces.

“When people say we have some issues with set-pieces, how can I say they are wrong? I think 70% to 80% of the goals we concede are set-pieces but they’re all different and we’re still working on it.

“It’s not the same problem we had last year, when whoever was scoring against us. I understand but I can promise we work on it. But I like it more than they all creating chances like they want to because we defend crazy.

“I’m fine with this but only for the moment. But today I don’t care they got a goal like this. We won and it was well deserved.”

Klopp played down Tony Pulis’ remarks about Liverpool having a “free run” at the title this season because they don’t have the distraction of European football to contend with.

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“Are they involved in Europe? I played in Europe before and it never stopped us actually doing what we had to do,” Klopp said.

“Playing good football is a big advantage, having good players is a big advantage. Not playing in the week can be a big advantage when you take injury worries out of it. You need to use the extra time for training.

“Where it will lead us to I have no idea. From December, January time, a few other teams will not have Europe and we will start again.

“I’m not sure if it was nice (Pulis’ comment) or a compliment or something or just to make pressure on us but thank you. I will tell the players!”

Klopp believes the manner in which Liverpool created so many chances against the Baggies proved that they have got what it takes to break down teams who come to Anfield looking to simply frustrate.

Next up is Tuesday’s EFL Cup fourth round tie at home to Totenham.

“The performance of the whole of Anfield was really great,” he added.

“I enjoyed it, each second. The goal we conceded made the excitement a little bit longer. It was good, it was how you have to play.

“I know sometimes people say we have a problem with ‘park the bus’ teams but we already have a plan. It takes time to see it on the pitch and we work on it of course but then there will be another challenge.

“Now we play Tottenham, they park a lot of things but no buses! We have to be ready for this game.

"And then Crystal Palace, we didn’t see them too often this season until now but we will be prepared. There will always be something else to do but for today we did what we had to do.”

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Jordan Henderson will miss the clash with Spurs as he serves a one-match ban after collecting his fifth booking of the season.

Klopp said: “Actually I have no idea when he got it but I heard immediately in the dressing room.

“When you have four, it’s quite likely you will get a fifth. He has a new position if you want, he does make a lot of fouls, but obviously there is a lot of space around him and the ref has a good view on a situation. Five yellows is quite a lot after how many games? Nine, 11?”