Despite his team having the advantage throughout the game, manager Juergen Klopp said he was encouraged with Liverpool’s performance in Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League tie against Chelsea.

In the first game of the season, Luis Diaz converted a defense-splitting pass from Mohamed Salah at the far post to give Liverpool the lead.

However, they were unable to defeat their adversaries, and Chelsea levelled through defender Axel Disasi, giving both teams a point each.

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“The point is OK with me… I thought the game got off to a really terrific start for us,” Klopp told the press.

“Everything was there, what we’ve been working on.

“But then we opened the door for Chelsea, we lost the ball in one or two situations which was unnecessary.

“Chelsea got better in the game … and we had to dig really deep and fight hard.

“I saw a lot of things I liked and some things I didn’t like particularly. It’s a first game at a tough place, and I tend to see it as a positive.”

Attacker Salah was substituted in the 77th minute as Liverpool continued to quest for a victory. This was the first time in seven seasons that Salah has failed to score in the opening round of a Premier League match.

The Egyptian, who shares the record for the most goals scored on opening day with Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, and Frank Lampard, was upset by the replacement and ripped off the tape around his wrists before tossing it to the ground, although Klopp downplayed the significance of his outburst.

With him, I haven’t yet had a chat, Klopp admitted. I was unaware that if he had scored in that game, it would have set some sort of record.

“I understand his disappointment, but I’m the manager of the whole team. In that moment we needed fresh legs, (the substitution) made sense for us.

“It was super intense for everybody. That’s all I can say about it, his reaction was absolutely okay.”

The fact that the two sides are engaged in a transfer battle for Moises Caicedo added intrigue to Sunday’s match.

Despite reports in the British media on Friday that Liverpool had reached an agreement to acquire the Ecuadorian midfielder from Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea presently seem to be the favourites to sign him.

Romeo Lavia of Southampton has also been linked to both clubs, with Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino claiming that the west London club needs to make acquisitions to strengthen their midfield.

When asked about Pochettino’s remarks, Klopp said: “That’s what each Chelsea manager wants, and usually they get it.”

Klopp declined to comment on Caicedo and Lavia. On Saturday, Liverpool will play host to Bournemouth.