Jurgen Klopp says seven-goal Crystal Palace thrashing fixed Liverpool's 'funny' goal difference after 7-2 defeat to Aston Villa

The Merseysiders ran riot at Selhurst Park with seven goals from five players, with their resounding victory putting them six points clear at the top of the table.

It guarantees the champions will be top of the table at Christmas, for the third season running, after what full-back Andy Robertson said was a 'perfect performance'.

Klopp didn't quite go that far, with the boss acknowledging Palace's numerous chances to score in the first-half as Liverpool's back-four struggled to contain the likes of Wilfried Zaha and Eberechi Eze.

But their early defensive lapses will have been forgotten by most after an utterly ruthless performance in front of goal.

And, when speaking to talkSPORT after the game, Klopp admitted the display made amends for their miserable 7-2 defeat to Aston Villa back in October, with Liverpool now boasting the best goal difference in the top flight.

And he also hailed his team as a 'fighting unit' after battling through their injury woes to top the table again.

"In moments for sure, how we scored the goals, how we controlled the game in a lot of moments, how we made the subs, who we could bring on… that was all perfect," the German told talkSPORT.

"But of course over the full game, in the first half especially, Palace had their moment and we struggled a little bit with Zaha and Eze and we lost the ball in the wrong moments - it's normal.

"We had to defend with a lot of passion in our box, and we did that.

"But in all the other moments it was a good game. Our finishing was exceptional - that's the reason for the result.

"It clarified a little bit our funny goal difference, if you want, from the 7-2 against Aston Villa.

"That was not the target, but what you usually do over weeks and months we did today in one game.

"That's all very important, absolutely, the boys did really well. This group is really a fighting unit.

"A lot of things have happened so far this season and will happen, but how the boys deal with it is exceptional, so at the moment we're really happy.

"But we know there are a lot of hurdles still ahead of us."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told talkSPORT their massive win over Crystal Palace fixed the Reds' 'funny' goal difference, following their disaster against Aston Villa earlier in the season.