Jurgen Klopp: "It was a clear penalty"

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has claimed that Andre Marriner was right to award his side a penalty in the dying stages of their Premier League clash with Crystal Palace this afternoon.

The Reds appeared to be heading for a draw at Selhurst Park after Roberto Firmino had cancelled out Joe Ledley's opener, despite James Milner being shown a red card shortly after the hour mark.

However, his side were awarded a controversial spot kick deep into stoppage time when substitute Christian Benteke went down under minimal contact from Damien Delaney, before the Belgian stroked home from 12 yards to secure the win.

"It was a perfect change, [Benteke] really worked hard. His first touch was a big chance and then it was his penalty. He made the move and forced the situation," Klopp told BBC Sport.

"It was a clear penalty and then he was pretty cool with the penalty. Football is a lot of things and sometimes it's all about passion. What I saw today from my players, they defended with all they had and that's good to see.

"If you are behind it's not so important why and how, the only thing is that the difference is not so big. We had to change the system and had to try to stay offensive. We knew it was risky but at the end we forced it and for us it is a great win."

The win gives Liverpool three in a row in the league for the first time under Klopp and takes them to within six points of the top four.