Arne Slot was relieved to see his defense finally keep a clean sheet on Sunday after conceding 10 goals in three games.
The Reds were enduring a nightmare run under Slot, losing three consecutive games by a three-goal margin. Yet they bounced back by beating West Ham 2-0 at the London Stadium, with Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo both finding the net.
Isak's goal was his first for Liverpool in the Premier League. Fellow summer signing Florian Wirtz also produced a fabulous performance, earning praise from Jamie Carragher, although the midfielder is still waiting for his first Premier League assist and goal.
Liverpool has one of the leakiest defenses in the Premier League, having conceded 20 goals in the team's first 13 games this season. Only Bournemouth (23 goals), Nottingham Forest (22), West Ham (27), Leeds (25), Burnley (27), and Wolves (28) have conceded more.
Yet Slot's players put things right on Sunday by keeping the Hammers quiet.
"A win, and that was what we mainly needed, and we got a clean sheet as well, which is always helpful," Slot told the BBC's Match of the Day at full-time.
Slot's team picked up a much-needed win
Slot's team picked up a much-needed win (Image: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
"Not giving anything away to the other team as a gift, as we have done far too many times this season. The other team hardly created a chance except in the final minute through (Jarrod) Bowen.
"West Ham made it a difficult game for us, but we did very well defensively. The good thing was that they only had one chance."
Sunday's result has lifted Liverpool back into the top half of the Premier League. The Reds are eighth in the table, just two points behind Chelsea in fourth but eight adrift of Arsenal in first. Chelsea and Arsenal will face each other in Sunday's late game.
Slot was also asked about Isak opening his account in the Premier League for Liverpool. He said: "He is a top striker. This finish was very good. I kept him in just long enough for him to get a goal for the team and himself."
Slot made a huge decision before the game to drop talisman Mohamed Salah to the bench. The Reds boss continued: "We play a lot of games. In 10 days, we played four.
"These players are such quality players. Mo has been so important for the club and will be so important for the club, so let's see what happens on Wednesday (against Sunderland)."
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo, meanwhile, said: "It's a disappointing day. We felt we were in the game, we were controlling the game. A lack of concentration cost us.
"We fought against a good team. The final pass, the final cross wasn't there."