Liverpool narrowly escaped with three points at Craven Cottage after beating Fulham 2-1, a win that saw them two points clear from Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
Goals from Sadio Mane and James Milner handed the Reds a 2-1 triumph, however, Klopp has admitted that he side were a little “rusty” early on against the strugglers, and he also mentioned his experience as a possible issue.
“It was like how we are – we started really well, did a lot of good things and lost the rhythm a little bit,” Klopp told Sky Sports.
“I’m not the most experienced manager but I’ve had similar problems after Champions League games – the first half is a bit rusty.“
Liverpool beta Bayern Munich 3-1 in Germany on Wednesday to secure a quarter-final clash against Porto in April.
Klopp’s men scrapped past Fulham by the odd goal at Craven Cottage, and the German has bemoaned the lack of end product.
He said: “We could’ve finished it off in the second half but if you don’t kill the game at 1-0 up it’s clear something like that can happen.”
Liverpool players have been criticised for drawing too many games in recent months, but Klopp is adamant that nerves are not to blame.
“I have no doubt about my players’ nerves. I always want perfection but it’s rare that you get it,” he added.
“People will say we should be more convincing in games like this but this is us, we are in the middle of a development, not at the end. How the boys dealt with it was brilliant.”
Virgil van Dijk was arguably at fault for Ryan Babel’s goal, and the Dutch defender has admitted he made a mistake for the goal.
He said: “I’m not giving excuses, I should have had it better, it is what it is they scored and then we scored.
“We won, got the three points and we go home happy, top of the league.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game and I think second half especially we made it very difficult for ourselves.
“We weren’t calm enough on the ball and didn’t create enough options.
“With my mistake we made it even more exciting for them. In the end we got the three points and we can focus on the national team.”