Arne Slot hailed Liverpool's fighting spirit as the ‘fatigued’ Premier League leaders survived a tense 2-1 win against Wolves on Sunday.
Slot's side moved seven points clear of second-placed Arsenal thanks to Luis Diaz's early opener and a Mohamed Salah penalty before the interval at Anfield.
It wasn't easy for Liverpool despite that strong start as fourth-bottom Wolves hit back impressively.
Matheus Cunha's blast reduced the deficit and Liverpool had to hold on in the closing stages before they could celebrate a first win in three games in all competitions.
Indebted to Alisson Becker for some crucial saves, Liverpool boss Slot said: ‘This one is big. We needed to fight and we needed Alisson.
‘Wolves took a lot of risks. In a season where you want to achieve something, you need to have wins like this as well.
‘It's never the game-plan never to create anything at all. They got better and better, we got worse and worse.
‘We had to show a different mentality and got it over the line. If this is what it takes to win a game then I'm happy the players could do that again.’
Slot admitted Liverpool were running on fumes at times after Wednesday's emotionally draining 2-2 draw at Merseyside rivals Everton, which featured a stoppage-time equaliser for the Toffees, and last weekend's embarrassing FA Cup exit at second tier Plymouth.
‘Fatigue comes from running a lot and a bit of mental fatigue a lot. We were mentally tested today. We thought we'd scored a third and then a penalty for the third but both were correct from the referee,’ he said.
‘Maybe it did lead to us being a bit tired. I did see for the first time this season that players were more tired than they have been.
‘If you want to achieve something it is not only about bringing the ball out from the back or Mo scoring goals, it is also about defending.’
Liverpool's ability to grind out a fourth win in their last five league matches kept Arsenal at bay in the title race.
Chasing a record-equalling 20th English title and their first since 2020, Liverpool are 13 games away from the trophy.
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