Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp singled out Trent Alexander-Arnold for praise following a strong defensive display on Harvey Barnes in the 2-1 win over Leicester City on Friday.
The Reds secured their fourth straight league win to move within two points of fourth-placed Tottenham as they bid to rescue their campaign after a sluggish start.
Two own goals from Wout Faes late in the first half earned Liverpool the points after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had raced through the middle of the Reds' defence to open the scoring in the fourth minute.
Alexander-Arnold, who has had a mixed season, won praise from Klopp as the Reds held off the Foxes, quelling the threat of Barnes down Leicester's left side.
"Really good, and not the first time," Klopp told reporters. "It was really good, very helpful and very important in these moments. Very, very helpful.
"I think everybody knows how good Harvey Barnes is in these moments and Trent did exceptionally well. We had a few good performances, really good performances but the majority were not on top of their game, let me say it like this, and that's why this can happen.
"Now we have just two days [before facing Brentford on Monday] and we don't know exactly who can go again and stuff like this."
Klopp may have two immediate headaches with full-back Andy Robertson substituted just past the hour with an injury concern, while Harvey Elliott went off late too.
The German revealed that the Scottish defender had actually been hurt in the warm-up but still opted to start him.
"Funnily enough, Harvey, before the game, injured Robbo a little bit," Klopp said.
"In our warm-up game, he hit him with a knee at the hip, so it was a dead leg. He could play but then at one point the muscle closed and he couldn't play on.
"Harvey got a knock, which was quite painful, but when you see the situation because it is clear that's painful, but that's it, I think."
Emery praises Duran's start to the season
Unai Emery praised Jhon Duran’s attitude as the striker scored again in Aston Villa’s 2-1 victory away to Leicester.
Duran was the subject of heavy interest during the transfer window, with both West Ham and Chelsea reported to be interested in signing the Columbian.
But the 20-year-old remained at the club and has scored two goals in the first three games of the season, having scored the winner on the opening day against West Ham, and Emery reserved praise for Duran after the victory over Leicester.
The Spaniard said: He is focused, I didn't need to speak a lot about his future [during the window]. He is focused here. He has trained very well and is playing very well, doing the work we planned. He is scoring goals. Fantastic."
Emery also was pleased with the performance of right back Lamare Bogarde – the 20 year-old made his first Premier League start after Matty Cash’s injury last week.
“He played being comfortable”, said Emery.
“When we use different young players, when we will need them they must be ready. Bogarde, he has qualities to play there [right-back] and to do well. He played well."
Villa have continued their strong away form at the start of this season, and they have recorded 16 wins since Emery took charge, with only Manchester City and Arsenal having more victories.
The Spaniard believes the passionate Villa support on the road has played a huge role, saying: “We spoke about our supporters and that we always feel good away because we feel them. We have to be happy but keep going."
Leicester boss Steve Cooper did not believe the result was a fair one for his side.
Cooper told BBC Sport: "I thought we looked a good team at times today. We definitely didn’t deserve to lose the game. For the first goal, we need to own the set play – but it should never have been a free-kick.
"In the three games we’ve seen, we’ve seen more than enough in the performances to feel like we’re going to be OK [in the Premier League]."
Brentford 3-1 Southampton: Bees begin life after Toney with comfortable win
Brentford began life without Ivan Toney with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Southampton.
Bryan Mbeumo’s brace and a Yoane Wissa goal proved to be the difference between the two sides and condemned the Saints to their third straight loss since promotion back to the Premier League.
With departed striker Toney watching in the stands after his move to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, the hosts proved too strong for Russell Martin’s men. They created the superior chances and capitalised on an error-strewn performance from Southampton’s backline.
Mbeumo opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time before doubling the lead halfway through the second period and Wissa then got on the scoresheet moments later to continue Brentford’s strong start to the campaign. Yukinari Sugawara bagged a consolation in injury time for the Saints.
Brentford sit in fifth place ahead of the first international break, while Southampton are second-bottom of the league table with zero points.
Data debrief: Wissa continues to prove effective at home
Wissa now has five goals and two assists in his last seven matches at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Brentford have recorded consecutive home league wins for the first time since last November, and the first time in their opening home games since August 2018.
Brentford 3-1 Southampton: Bees begin life without Toney with comfortable win
Brentford began life without Ivan Toney with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Southampton.
Bryan Mbeumo’s brace and a Yoane Wissa goal proved to be the difference between the two sides and condemned the Saints to their third straight loss since promotion back to the Premier League.
With departed striker Toney watching in the stands after his move to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, the hosts proved too strong for Russell Martin’s men. They created the superior chances and capitalised on an error-strewn performance from Southampton’s backline.
Mbeumo opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time before doubling the lead halfway through the second period and Wissa then got on the scoresheet moments later to continue Brentford’s strong start to the campaign. Yukinari Sugawara bagged a consolation in injury time for the Saints.
Brentford sit in fifth place ahead of the first international break, while Southampton are second-bottom of the league table with zero points.
Data debrief: Wissa continues to prove effective at home
Wissa now has five goals and two assists in his last seven matches at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Brentford have recorded consecutive home league wins for the first time since last November, and the first time in their opening home games since August 2018.
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