Klopp: Why 2-1 has felt better than 1-0 against Fulham

Sadio Mane's strike in the first half, his 11th in 11 games, kept the Reds on course for a two-point lead in the Premier League.

But only after a dramatic period in the second half.

Watch: extended highlights of victory at Fulham

A defensive mix allowed Ryan Babel to score a goal tied with 15 minutes remaining at Craven Cottage and challenge Liverpool to produce a late winner.

They met the sentence imposed by James Milner, the vice-captain being forgiven for his role in the deal by sending a nice finish to the center of the field.

And once the three points were in the bag, Klopp was able to think of a final result that he thought could be more beneficial than keeping the lead 1-0.

"By the time Millie scored with the penalty, it was at the moment the relief was there, to be honest," said the manager at Liverpoolfc.com.

"I did not think there would be another situation, because in reality we defended, in difficult circumstances, really well.

"Yes, we gave them two or three situations in the second half, not really dangerous but dangerous enough. We should not have done it, but it's like that. After a game of the Champions League midweek, sometimes you have to adjust some things in the first period. We played in Burnley, Munich and Fulham, it's three times different sport. So we had to adapt to that.

"Fulham is a good football team and now, obviously, he has been relieved of any pressure to stay in the league. He only wants to play football and show his identity. That's what they did and it meant we had to run a lot, which of course is exhausting in a week like that.

"Perhaps because of that, one or two decisions we made were not brilliant. But in the second half, we had great chances and could have scored more, but we did not do it.

"As long as you're only 1-0, the door is half open for the opponent. They used the only misunderstanding, but then you have to stay in the race – and now it's even better than winning 1-0. As it is even better. I like it a lot.

"The work rate of boys was still exceptional. You could see that it was the end of a very intense time.

"Now, some of them have [international] games, but all boys who do not have games must rest. Then we start again when we return, hopefully all in good health, then we leave again. "