Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp rejected suggestions his side were under pressure to keep a clean sheet against Crystal Palace.

Sadio Mane scored in the 73rd minute as the Reds got their season up and running with a 1-0 victory after last weekend’s disappointing 3-3 draw at Watford.

After also conceding a late goal against Hoffenheim in midweek, questions began to be asked about defensive problems resurfacing.

However, Klopp gave those short shrift.

“Obviously my decision not to read the English press is one of the best I did in my life,” said Klopp, when asked about whether the win at Anfield had answered critics.

Klopp changed three of his back four for the match, with only Joel Matip surviving from the first two matches as he brought in Joe Gomez, Ragnar Klavan and Andrew Robertson, and he was rewarded with a clean sheet.

However, the decision was made more in relation to rotation – with a second leg against Hoffenheim to come next week – than a change to correct deficiences.

Summer signing Robertson made his debut after an £8 million move from Hull and impressed.

“Defending was outstandingly good today,” Klopp said.

“Klavan and Matip did really well and the protection from Robbo and and Joe was really good.

“The football played in the first half could have been better but I was really happy we scored and created chances in the second half.

“Offensive football is always making the right decision at the right moment. We didn’t see the spaces often enough in the first half.

“It’s one pass, one switch (for the goal) and the world is much nicer at this moment. We didn’t do this often enough.”

New Palace boss Frank de Boer has lost his first two matches and admits he still has work to do as he looks to make further additions before the end of the transfer window.

“Still we are looking, of course. If we think this is a really quality injection for the squad we don’t hesitate, but it has to be the right one,” he said.

“No panic buying or anything like that. Really it’s a quality injection for the squad, of course we are looking for that.

“I think they (Liverpool) were at times frustrated that they could not play around us, between us, and that is a very good compliment for the team.

“But you have to reward yourself for that and at the end it’s all about the points and we still have empty hands right now.

“I have full confidence we will get our points very soon.”