Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold admitted relief after victory over Leicester City.
Two own goals from Wout Faes made the difference for the Reds.
Alexander-Arnold later said: "It's all about getting three points and trying to get into a position in the league where we feel like we need to be and haven't been this season. These are the ones that you look back on and know that you needed to win it. Whether you win well or ugly, it doesn't really matter.
"We lacked intensity. I don't want to say we got bullied but they were winning the second balls and playing around us. They had a lot of men in midfield and outnumbered us. They found it way too easy. We should have made it a lot harder for them. That's what we pride ourselves on: our intensity and pressing straight out of the blocks. It just wasn't there today. Their goal took us by surprise."
On Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's goal for Leicester, he continued: "We've been told what to do but within that, the manager knows there are times when you have to drop and there are times when you have to play a high time. I'm right up there pressing the left-back, and that's when we kind of leave ourselves a bit exposed if we don't get it right. The goal kick took Joel [Matip] a bit by surprise when it came short, and then it got a bit scruffy. I haven't watched it back but I think Robbo got caught in two minds. You couldn't catch up then, and it was a good finish.
"The manager gives us freedom to play the game how we want to play. We're full-backs who attack in very different ways. Robbo is more of a runner off the ball. He'll make runs in behind. I like the ball in to feet, I like to pass the ball and pick defences apart like that. It works - there's a balance to it with him bombing on and overlapping and me going one-on-one, taking a step back and then crossing. The manager's been able to find balance in the team to let both of us do what we want and hurt opposition. The message is always to go and play, win games and attack. At the same time, we've got to be careful and make sure we've got that protection behind us."
On the criticism he has faced this season, Alexander-Arnold concluded: "Part of me thinks there's been a lot more of a spotlight on it because of me not playing at the World Cup. In some situations, I've not helped myself. There were situations at the start of the season that could have been better, I'll hold my hands up about that."
