Jurgen Klopp hails Liverpool’s ‘perfect night’ at Anfield after thrashing Toulouse 5-1 in the Europa League – reserving special praise for the Reds youth players and new recruit Ryan Gravenberch

• Liverpool enjoyed a dominant evening in Europe completing third win in three 
• A number of Liverpool academy graduates took part in the clash at Anfield 
• Follow Mail Sport’s new Liverpool WhatsApp channel for all the breaking news 

Jurgen Klopp has hailed a ‘perfect night’ for Liverpool after the Reds beat Toulouse 5-1 at Anfield on Thursday evening. 

Despite the visitors finding an early equaliser in the Europa League tie, the hosts were in rampant form, and delivered three goals before the break, with another two in the second-half – all from different scorers. 

Summer signings Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo both found the back of the Ligue 1 side’s net, along with Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Diogo Jota. 

The German manager was also able to hand a full debut to Luke Chambers as he reshuffled his backline, and academy youngsters Calum Scanlon and James McConnell also came on to get their first senior minutes under their belt. 

A third win in three which puts the side atop Group E with half of the group stage played ensured that the night was full of positives for a side looking every inch Liverpool 2.0 after a successful summer rebuild. 

Jurgen Klopp was all smiles after what the Germain coach described as a ‘perfect’ night

New summer signing Ryan Gravenberch netted his second-ever Liverpool goal at Anfield

Luke Chambers (left) made his full senior debut in club colours during the 5-1 demolition

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‘Very,’ Klopp responded when asked if he was happy with the night’s work by TNT Sports. ‘Very happy. How difficult the game could have been you saw in moments that were difficult, but the majority of the time we were in complete control and scored wonderful goals, could have scored more. 

‘The right players scored, nobody got hurt. Perfect night. We could bring the kids, show how much we trust them, so it’s really good.’ 

Chambers in particular distinguished himself, with academy graduate Trent Alexander-Arnold singling him out for particular praise after the full-time whistle. 

But Klopp himself was delighted to have not only got minutes in young legs with a few to further bolstering his squad depth, but for being able to reward strong performances in training. 

‘Yes, it was [a good opportunity to experiment with youth players], but it was more – I’m not sure how much it had to do with the result, but it was more that the boys really need that now, they need to get that feeling. 

‘If I tell them how much I like them, or what I see in them, from time to time they have to show it,’ Klopp continued. ‘It’s not that easy, we have difficult games, but in times like this, we have good moments you can give the boys opportunity. 

‘And they all took it – in different ways, but they all took it. (There are) a couple who are not even available at the moment, like Ben Doak, or Bobby Clark, so we have a lot of good boys. We really trust them and we really build on them, so I’m happy they got a good opportunity.’

Whilst Gravenberch rose through ranks at Ajax before making his senior debut for the Eredivise side, Klopp was equally impressed with the performance of his summer purchase from Bayern Munich. 

The Dutch international had struggled to break into the Bundesliga outfit after his move in summer 2022, but Gravenberch has hit the ground running since joining Liverpool – with Klopp excited about his development still to come. 

Calum Scanlon was another academy player to get minutes under his belt against Toulouse

Gravenberch (left) is building momentum at Liverpool after failing to settle at Bayern Munich 

‘He’s a good player. I’m so happy for him that he starts really enjoying his football again,’ Klopp added. ‘He’s not even halfway where he can be but it’s really promising, and I’m happy for him. 

‘There’s lots to improve, that’s really good news, because he’s very young and there’s much more to come.’ 

Liverpool will now look to improve on their Premier League position, and hope to move up from fourth as they meet Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Sunday. 

Clustering at the top of the table means that Klopp’s side are just three points of first-placed Tottenham, and only a goal behind the north London side.  

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