Jürgen Klopp believes Liverpool can still perform even better despite registering a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
The German declared himself satisfied after his energetic Reds had run Manuel Pelligrini's men ragged throughout an enthralling display, an early own goal from Eliaquim Mangala putting the visitors ahead after seven minutes.
The devastating duo of Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino extended their lead to three before Sergio Aguero's strike from range brought his side back into the game minutes before the break.
But Liverpool weathered the storm of City's pressure to maintain their two-goal advantage before adding a fourth late on as Martin Skrtel scored his first goal in almost a year to ensure a well-deserved three points.
Boss highly satisfied by "deserved" three points
Klopp told reporters afterwards that the result was "very satisfying" but wouldn't reveal whether he thought it was the club's best performance under him, stating that he "rarely" compares games.
He added that whilst the display was "very good", it wasn't quite "perfect" because Liverpool can still "defend better" and "stay in the game better" when they led 3-0 before gifting City a potential avenue back into it.
Nevertheless, a beaming Klopp insisted that it was a "very good performance" - as it has to be to beat Man City 4-1 away from home - and said the result was "deserved."
Pre-match preparation vital to victory, Klopp says
Liverpool's superior work-rate - pressing and harrying high up the pitch to choke City into conceding possession - saw them overawe their opponents and led to their first two goals before a third came from a counter-attack.
Assessing his side's approach, Klopp revealed that they analyse their opponents, assessing their "biggest strengths" as well as what "they don't feel confident" defending against - teaching their side how best to target their opponent's weaknesses.
He added that it's a "very important thing" that teams "do things like this" and prepare properly when you come against superior opponents, hailing Manchester City as the "best" current team in England having come into the weekend at the top of the table.
The German explained that his side "had to try to find some ways" of causing them problems, which is what they did - adding that winning a ball high up means "it's not the longest way in the right direction" - which he also called "very important."
Manager delighted with Brazilian fusion
Integral to Liverpool's triumph, Firmino and Coutinho established an excellent partnership as the two furthest forward players - leading the press from the front as well as displaying the best of their technical abilities when in possession.
Coutinho maintained his fine goalscoring form, netting his fourth in three Premier League games, whilst fellow Brazilian Firmino scored his first goal since swapping Hoffenheim for Merseyside in the summer.
Klopp insisted that he knew previously about the No.11's quality and lauded the help of 10 to 12 days worth of training "without interruption" which was a "very important" factor behind his performance, according to the manager.
He revealed to reporters that having such time with Firmino, and Coutinho, at Melwood "was the reason" they left Daniel Sturridge and Christian Benteke on the bench and went for a formation which saw the two play in tandem, insisting with the squad as a whole they "tried to put as many players as possible on the pitch who had trained together" over the international break.
Klopp insisted that the two "did well" and "had a good match" but admitted Firmino "could have used one chance more" after spurning three one-on-ones with Joe Hart, which he labelled "big chances."
Reds can still progress and develop
The win meant that Klopp's charges responded perfectly to their first loss under his tenure, as well as meaning he has overseen four victories from eight games in charge.
But the three points at the Etihad is simply another steady step forward for his side, according to the boss.
He said their priority is to "see and feel things develop" in their game - referring to what he said immediately after his appointment, that Liverpool need "common experience" that they can "talk about and work with."
Klopp insisted that the Reds can still perform better in "many, many" parts of their game collectively, including defending better and believing in their own strength, but acknowledged that "maybe not in counter-attacking" because they were "really good" on the break.
On his side's lack of self-belief, Klopp revealed that at half-time he saw the players "had a little bit of a feeling they were surprised" at having a 3-1 lead - insisting that is what they have to learn, because if they "have the quality" - which he believes Liverpool do - they can "be in the lead", but also warned that they can still "defend better" than they did in the final 10 minutes of the first period.