Klopp explains why he was delighted despite 'one of the worst' Liverpool games

Mohamed Salah scored his 200th Reds goal and Harvey Elliot netted a stunning winner in a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace, but it the goalkeeper who took the manager's plaudits.

The Reds took all three points back home to Merseyside the hard way in a chaotic match filled with VAR drama.

There were shouts of LiVARpool again across social media as Klopp's side benefited from a dubious decision which denied Palace a penalty in the first-half, but then VAR struck again after the break as the hosts were given a spot kick after a lengthy delay.

The drama was far from over as Jordan Ayew was then sent off for two bookable offences - again, a dubious decision - which led to Salah scoring the equaliser and his 200th Liverpool goal just minutes later.

The game was then won by substitute Elliot, who was given too much space as he picked his spot and arrowed a fine finish past rookie goalkeeper Remi Matthews - making his debut off the bench in place of Sam Johnstone who was injured during the match.

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Asked how much of his side's 'world-class mentality' was on show at Selhurst Park, Klopp laughed and told talkSPORT: "For a long time, nothing!

"We started the game really bad. We had no rhythm changes, we gave Crystal Palace a lot of opportunities to get more confident in the first-half and in the end it looks a little bit like we were waiting for us to concede a goal, and maybe we needed that today.

"I know a tricky period it is and how tough it is to play all these games and we expect a lot from the boys, but if we had just played quicker that would have helped - but we didn't.

"So we needed the goal and maybe the red card as well. I would have liked to see a game with 11 vs 11, but from that moment on we really played good. We all know how difficult it can be against ten men, but it didn't look at all like this.

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"We did really well, all our subs worked really well, the changes we made helped massively, they all had a massive impact, and so we won the game.

"Obviously it was not our best game, definitely not, for a long time it was one of the worst, but in the end turning this thing around is massive."

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On Salah's landmark strike for the club, which was also his 150th Premier League goal, Klopp said: "Today we all played not great, and he didn't either, but he is always a threat day and night, even during his bad games.

"How often has he turned games around for us? I have no clue, I haven't counted, but you only reach 200 goals if you are a super, super special player."

There was still time during the ten minutes added on for Palace to threaten, with Alisson there to prevent an equaliser in the closing stages.

The Brazilian returned to the starting XI after three games out with an injury, and Klopp thanked the goalkeeper for once again 'saving our backsides'.

"I will never hide how much I love and respect this man," the manager said about his No.1.

"I'm pretty sure [Liverpool No.2] Caoimhin Kelleher would have been there as well, but it was Ali there and I am more than happy, it was incredibly important.

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"Mo scored goal number 200 today and maybe Ali had his 200th time saving our backside, to be honest.

"That is just exceptional. He's an exceptional man, an exceptional player and yeah, he was pretty helpful today."