Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has praised Chelsea after the UEFA Super Cup clash in Istanbul this evening (Wednesday).
Frank Lampard's Chelsea side took the Champions League winners to penalties at the home of Besiktas in Turkey, only for Adrian to save Tammy Abraham's penalty to clam victory for the Reds.
But Liverpool had to come from behind in the game, with Olivier Giroud opening the scoring for the Blues in the first half, and Christian Pulisic having a goal ruled out for offside.
Sadio Mane then equalised for Liverpool shortly after the restart, with Mason Mount having a goal ruled out at the other end as the game went to extra time.
Liverpool then took the lead for the first time early on in extra time, with Mane again on target for the Reds, before Chelsea equalised from the penalty spot, with Jorginho converting after Adrian had been adjudged to have fouled Tammy Abraham.
That sent the game to a penalty shootout, which Liverpool won 5-4 as Adrian denied Abraham from the spot, giving the Reds victory.
And Klopp spoke of his delight at claiming the win, while also praising Chelsea for their efforts in Istanbul, three days after the Blues had suffered a 4-0 defeat at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
"It feels big, to be honest. It was a very difficult game for both teams and it’s about winning it at the end, so all good.
"We showed character, Chelsea showed character as well so it was like boxing. Proper knocks from both sides.
"I think that nobody in the stadium wanted twice fifteen minutes [at the end]. I think the last 15 minutes was really a killer. But that’s how it is. We came through. I’m not sure about the penalty. That’s it.
"A really good Chelsea side. We had good moments. We started well, then we dropped too deep. We couldn’t hold our football. It made no sense. But it’s really early in the season. It was already our third competitive game without a pre-season. So, we have to fight."
Klopp also praised the two goalkeepers, with Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga producing a superb double save to deny Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk, before Adrian's heroics in the shootout.
He said: "What a story! Adrian! Like Rocky, after he lost against Apollo Creed. A great, wonderful story.
"He kept his nerves together. He’s really loud in the dressing room already. He’s Spanish; the emotions come through. It’s all good. It’s so nice for him. I don’t think he’s won a lot in his life so it’s so nice to win this really big one and be an important part in that game as well.
"Not only in the penalties but there were unbelievable saves by both goalkeepers as well, by the way."
