Liverpool win and clean sheet against Manchester City was best possible result, says goalkeeper Loris Karius

Karius and his team-mates took a huge step towards this year’s Champions League semi-finals

Loris Karius believes Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Manchester City on Wednesday night was the best result Jürgen Klopp’s side could have asked for.

Karius and his team-mates took a huge step towards this year’s Champions League semi-finals by blowing the favourites for the competition away in the first half hour.

Mohamed Salah’s opener was followed by a venomous Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain strike before Sadio Mané headed home a third from close range.

Liverpool’s defensive work in the hour of football that followed was equally impressive though, as Karius’ defence prevented City from registering a single shot on target.

“Not to concede was very important but then three goals; it’s probably the best result you can ask for,” the Liverpool goalkeeper said after the final whistle. “Still, it’s not done. There is still work.

“We played at our highest level. We’re a good football team, we defended really good. The second half they put a bit more pressure on. They had their moments, but they weren’t really clear.”

City’s failure to score an away goal only makes their task of overturning Liverpool’s three-goal deficit greater.

Klopp’s side will travel to the Etihad next week knowing that though another clean sheet is unlikely, a goal of their own will leave City needing five to progress.

“There were moments when we had to stick together,” Karius said of Liverpool’s defensive display. “We were deeper than in other moments of the game but that’s what you expect against a team like this. You can’t press for 90 minutes.

“There are other moments and we defended perfectly, starting from the front all the way to the back. That’s the only way you can do it.”

Much was made of the Anfield atmosphere before the game and Karius agreed that Liverpool supporters had lived up to their reputation.

“The fans pushed us on to get over the fatigue,” he said. “They were amazing tonight and played a big part in pushing us forward so much.”

When asked what difference the noise inside the stadium had made, Karius said: “A lot. Especially in moments when it gets harder, when you have to stick together.

“The fans, they push you on to go over that point where it hurts. On the way to the stadium when you see the fans supporting you like this you want to pay back and show them everything you can. So we did.”