Jurgen Klopp told his Liverpool stars that beating Tottenham was more important than playing well.
The Reds needed a lucky last gasp Toby Alderweireld own goal to overcome Spurs and move back to the top of the Premier League.
Alderweireld got in the way of Hugo Lloris' attempt to push away Mo Salah's header in stoppage time after the Reds had struggled to dominate over the north London outfit.
And Egyptian Salah has revealed exactly what Klopp told his players in the changing room after the match as the title race hots up.
“I went to the dressing room and I spoke to the manager," Salah told Sky Sports.
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“He said that it isn’t about playing good but the most important thing is to find a way of winning points.
"The big teams always find a way to get the points.
“Today we didn’t play the top of our game but we won the game that is the most important thing - that is a big team."
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Despite the average performance, the Reds managed to return to the top of the Premier League and overtake Manchester City .
Roberto Firmino had opened the scoring with a header before Lucas Moura had appeared to dampen their title charge with a tap in.
But Belgian Alderweireld's clumsy moment settled the game and Salah insists that the Liverpool fans' incredible noise helped push the result over the line.
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"The Kop today, it was crazy. They just want to win the Premier League and we are doing everything to make that happen. They help us a lot during the game. Everything changes with the fans - always.
"I think the fans gave the goal it to me! A goal is a goal.
"The important thing was to get three points. I haven't scored for couple of games but there are some players who have the same number of goals as me but are having the season of their lives. I'm supposed to be having a bad season!"
