Jurgen Klopp praises the 'most mature' performance of his Liverpool tenure

The German believed a draw was a fair result even though he claimed his side 'were better over most of the game' at Goodison Park

Jurgen Klopp was pleased with the performance of his makeshift side (AFP)

Jurgen Klopp hailed the most mature performance of his time at Anfield as an under-strength Liverpool side claimed a creditable 0-0 draw against Everton.

“We weren’t here to play a wild derby today, it wouldn’t have made sense,” the Liverpool manager said, and despite dropping two points there was a certain satisfaction at how his side coped with a host of first-choice players, including Premier League top scorer Mo Salah.

Klopp offered no further clues on Salah’s fitness ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester City.

“I don’t get a ticker every five minutes on how he feels,” he said, half in irritation and half in jest. “We didn’t even think about him. Why should I? Will he be fit on Tuesday? That’s what everybody thinks. But at the end, we will see.”

Nil-nil was a fair result, Klopp reckoned, even though he claimed his side “were better over most of the game”. He added: “It was a good performance. Not brilliant, but maybe the most mature we’ve played [since I arrived]. To deliver a game like this, that’s a big compliment for my team.”

Sam Allardyce, meanwhile, credited his own substitutions for turning the game in Everton’s favour towards the end.

The misfiring Wayne Rooney was withdrawn just 10 minutes into the second half, with Yannick Bolasie and Tom Davies also making way later, and Allardyce said: “Our passing at times got a bit woeful. Once we weren’t retaining the ball, it was time for change. That gave us the legs, and then a little bit more quality. The three substitutions made the difference today, I hope you’d agree.”

Allardyce was disappointed Everton's late surge didn't result in a goal (Getty)

Rooney looked none too satisfied at being taken off, but Allardyce shrugged off his angry reaction. “He can come and say to me whatever he wants,” he said. “He’s an Evertonian, and he’s been brought off on derby day. I wouldn’t expect him to smile and laugh. I’d expect a reaction from him. But I’m the manager, and I make the decision."