Klopp relieved but realistic after 'the first step'

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits the last-gasp 2-1 Champions League victory over Ajax is only the first step on the road to regaining their form.

Mohamed Salah's first goal in eight European matches was cancelled out by Mohammed Kudus in the first half and it needed an 89th-minute Joel Matip header to register Liverpool's first points in Group A after last week's 4-1 defeat in Naples.

It has been a mixed season so far and, with no match now for three weeks - Sunday's match at Chelsea has been postponed because of policing issues associated with the Queen's funeral - Klopp has time to regroup ready for their return after the international break.

"I think if we put the two games, Napoli and tonight, next to each other, you don't recognise properly that it's the same sport," he said.

"It was all different. The start was different. The middle was different. The finish was different. The way we played, the way we defend, everything was different. Much higher intensity, much more aggression, braver, more ready, everything was better.

"The story of the game is typical, not for our season so far because normally we are 1-0 down, more for the situation we are in.

"We did a lot of good stuff and played a really good game, we had something like 25 shots, which is good against a strong side full of confidence, absolutely convinced about the way they play, and we caused them a lot of problems.

"And then, 1-0 up, you concede with the first chance of the opponent the equaliser. The reaction was OK - not perfect but OK - and at half-time we told the boys that after the goal our pressing was not as convincing as before.

"I think nobody was surprised it was a set-piece (for the winner) because our set-pieces were really good tonight and I