Liverpool: Simon Mignolet credits Jurgen Klopp for impressive display against Manchester City

Liverpool midfielder Simon Mignolet believes that Jurgen Klopp's plan to hit Manchester City on the counter worked in their favour and was pivotal to the Reds' 4-1 win over the Citizens. This was Klopp's second victory of the season, with his last win coming against Jose Mourinho's Chelsea, who are languishing in the 15th position in the league.

Mignolet was untroubled for most of the game, with the Liverpool defence holding fort barring a brilliant shot from Sergio Aguero, who curled one from 25 yards to reduce the deficit before the break. Meanwhile, Eliaquim Mangala's own goal, and Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino had given them a three-goal lead before Aguero's strike, with Martin Skrtel joining the party late in the second half. This was City's second big loss of the season, with the Citizens losing by a similar margin against Tottenham, having taken the lead in the first place.

Joe Hart played a pivotal role in keeping City in the mix, making a string of important saves, barring which it could have been a rout in favour of the Merseyside club. Mignolet revealed that Klopp's strategy was to get at their faces early in the game and take charge, which they executed to perfection.

"We did really well and are very pleased with the result. Before the game the gaffer laid out a plan for us and it worked out perfectly," Mignolet told Liverpool's official website. "What he said before the game was the case. We didn't let them breathe and on the counter-attack we had a chance with the three players up top – Adam [Lallana], Phil and Roberto. They did brilliantly.

"We scored three early goals and just before half-time there was a bit of a setback, but we didn't let it affect us and in the second half we were the better side again. The gaffer has worked really hard on that and at half-time he said when you come into the dressing room at 3-1 away to Manchester City, you have to be happy and you have to go out in the second half with a positive feeling.

"That's what we did and we didn't let it affect us. We played our game and scored a fourth goal. We had so many chances to score many more – that's what you want to do when you play Manchester City," he added.