Abnormal Liverpool’s very normal victory demonstrates how Jurgen Klopp has made winning exactly that

Jurgen Klopp was in a good mood after Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium. The cause for satisfaction was not the performance. The runaway Premier League leaders were far from their best. Klopp was happy that this was another expression of his side’s winning habit.

“I wish we had played better but I’ll take it like it is,” the 52-year-old said. “If it was easy to win this number of games other teams would have won them.”

It is not easy. Liverpool’s run of form in the past year is mindboggling. They are 19 points clear at the top of the table and unbeaten in 41 league games. The elusive title that has been absent from Anfield for three decades is all but won. Kopites were expecting a tense finale and an outburst of joy when their team finally won the Premier League but the domination of Klopp’s team means that there is almost a whiff of anti-climax in the air – in the best possible way. Few teams in history have been so utterly dominant.

Against West Ham, Liverpool’s passing was a little lackadaisical and they looked quite ordinary for spells. Is there a danger they will switch off because of their outrageous superiority over their peers?

Klopp was dismissive. “No, it is not a motivational problem,” he said. “The difficulty was to get rhythm, keep rhythm and stay concentrated.”

Liverpool’s tempo is relentless. They controlled possession and never once looked in real danger. Mohamed Salah converted a first half penalty after Divock Origi was scythed down by Issa Diop and the Egyptian created Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s second goal with a pass of marvellous delicacy and precision. Aside from Salah, Alisson Becker stood out for some magnificent goalkeeping. “He had nothing to do all night yet made some world-class saves,” Klopp said. As for the rest, they were efficient, mainly unfussed and largely effective.

“It was not a brilliant performance against a side that is insecure,” the German said.

This team does not need to be sparkling. They are too good for their rivals and know it but the key to their genius is they do not take it for granted.

Liverpool have now beaten ever other Premier League club under Klopp but that sort of statistic means little. “I wanted to win the game but nobody was thinking (we’ve beat) 18 teams, let's make it 19.” The manager is immersed in bigger issues.

“When you jump in the water you don't breathe for 38 games then you come up and look around. That’s how we see it,” he said. That drew a laugh.

“That’s a long time to hold your breath,” someone observed. “It’s not literal,” Klopp said, to much amusement.

It was telling how relaxed the German was. “All the stats we have today are positive but strange as well as we had only five shots on target and West Ham had four,” he said. “We had 70-odd per cent possession, so that makes no sense.

“We know we have to do better. You don’t always perform at the highest level.”

In an attempt to explain why, Klopp talked about errors made by Andy Robertson and Georginio Wijnaldum. “There are players I trust – I’d trust them with my kids,” he said. The obvious response was how old are your children?

“Older than the players, that’s why I’d trust them,” Klopp quipped. Only managers who are completely comfortable indulge in knockabout repartee. Klopp is a leader at the top of his game, confident in every word he says and able to project his charisma to the most effective degree. He hits the right note every time he opens his mouth.

Klopp can afford to joke. He does not need to tell the world how good his team has become. He can leave that to others.

David Moyes proved compelling testimony. The West Ham manager has been a Premier League manager for the best part of two decades and should be a hostile witness. “They are as good as any team that’s been around,” Moyes said. “It’s difficult when you’ve been an Everton and Manchester United manager to say that.

“All the best coaches are trying to beat them,” he continued. “Two years ago no one could imagine beating Manchester City…” It was a muted battle cry for the rest of the division. Moyes, with his undermanned squad and barely a month into his second spell in charge in east London, was never going to be able to mount too much resistance. It is hard to see at the moment who else can outthink and outplay Liverpool.

Klopp is ready for the challenge. There is no hubris behind the bonhomie. “Tonight was a normal performance,” he said, with just the slightest hint of disdain. The Liverpool boss has normalised winning and made it routine. Any manager who can do that can afford to smile.