Southampton 1 Liverpool 6 reaction: Jurgen Klopp 'now knows what everybody is talking about' after Daniel Sturridge makes scoring return

Manager says it was a 'good decision' to start injury-prone striker in Capital One Cup

Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool shakes hands with Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool as he is substituted (Getty Images)

Jurgen Klopp said he finally knows just how good Daniel Sturridge is after seeing the England striker score two brilliant goals for Liverpool here.

Sturridge made his first start for two months, his first under Klopp, and scored two excellent goals, one with either foot, in the first half. Liverpool won 6-1 and will play Stoke City in the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup.

Klopp was able to withdraw Sturridge after just 58 minutes, replacing him with Jordon Ibe, and told the England striker that he now understands just why Sturridge is so highly rated.

“I said to him after the game, 'Now I know what everybody is talking about,’” Klopp joked afterwards. “I knew about his quality, but not live in a stadium, in an important tournament.”

Klopp has spoken about the importance of Sturridge being able to play through pain, but he said the striker needed no convincing to start. “The problem with Daniel is that we didn't know how long he could play,” he said. “But if that's the case, he has to start. He didn’t have a perfect pre-season, as everyone knows. It was a good decision.”

Klopp was delighted with the performance as Liverpool recorded their fourth straight win. “Super goals, I have to say. Really, really nice. Good play,” he said. “We may have to wait a long time to enjoy a football match like we did tonight.”

Klopp’s Liverpool will face Mark Hughes’ Stoke City in the semi-final, and Klopp said it would not necessariy be easier than facing Manchester City or Everton.

“I have no problems with a match against Everton,” he said. “And as you can see, we have absolutely no problem with matches against Manchester City. We have Stoke. I had a few semi-finals in my life, and there was never an easy one. Stoke will want to be in this final as much as possible.”

Ronald Koeman said he was “very disappointed” with Southampton’s performance but hailed the display of Klopp’s side.

“Great play of Liverpool, I have to recognise they played a fantastic game tonight,” he said. “Very complete, defensively strong, good movements. They killed the game by high quality, but too easy in my opinion for our defensive organisation.”