Jurgen Klopp has identified the reason it was tough for Liverpool to defeat Chelsea, saying the west Londoners had ‘eight players back’ defending, and claimed that the Reds drew against the ‘best team of Europe’ after being held to a 1-1 draw against ten-man Chelsea.

Kai Havertz gave Chelsea the lead before Reece James was sent for a handball allowing Mo Salah to score from the penalty spot.

Liverpool had the whole of the second half to find a winner against ten-man Chelsea, but Thomas Tuchel’s side valiantly held on for a point.

Klopp took the positives from the game though and said that Chelsea deserved a point.

He told Sky Sports after the game: “I saw a really exciting game; fast, hard for both teams. We conceded a goal – that’s not cool – but the goal we scored, the penalty we got was very deserved.

“I feel for Reece because it was tricky but it’s a clear penalty. Second half, we played good; everyone thinks against 10 men, ‘Come on!’ – there’s an advantage in possession but not in terms of the defensive structure.

“They were playing slightly deeper but they had eight players [back] with Lukaku up. We couldn’t use it – our shots were from distance – but it was a good game, a high-intensity game. Chelsea deserved a draw and we got a point as well.”

When asked whether Liverpool would have fared better against Chelsea without a sending off, he said they drew against the ‘best team in Europe’ of last year.

He said: “I don’t know what the result would have been 11 versus 11 but it’s really okay it’s early in the season.

“We drew against the best team of last year in Europe that’s okay. ‘Seven points from three games – let’s go. We are in good shape, we just have to carry on.”