Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp revealed new signing Diogo Jota has exceeded even his own expectations after netting the winner against West Ham on Saturday.

With the match tied at 1-1 and the Reds seemingly missing a cutting edge going into the final 20 minutes at Anfield, Klopp called his latest addition from the bench.

Jota had a goal ruled out following a VAR review just seven minutes later but belatedly got his match-winning moment with five minutes of normal time remaining, linking up with fellow substitute Xherdan Shaqiri to score.

That Kop End strike - his only shot that stood - was the Portuguese's third goal in his past three outings for the club and fourth overall since arriving from Wolves in a deal worth up to £45milion in September.

When asked if the scale of Jota's impact had surprised even him, Klopp told BBC Sport: "Yes, of course. 

"We fought really hard that we could sign him - we didn't have to convince him too much but we really had to fight for it.

"We knew that he is an exceptional talent. He has everything I love in a football player; he has the speed, he has the physicality, he has the technique, he is both-footed, he is clear in mind, very football smart.

"But then you don't know when the boys come in exactly [what will happen]. We had a talk before we signed him but you don't get all the information.

"How people react in different situations, you only see when they are in finally. And he is much better than I thought he would be so that's really impressive."

With Virgil van Dijk out long-term and both Fabinho and Joel Matip nursing injuries, Klopp handed a Premier League debut to Nathaniel Phillips against the Hammers.

The 23-year-old performed impressively, shackling visiting striker Sebastien Haller as he contested nine aerial duels and made a massive nine clearances and two interceptions.

Phillips, who almost left Anfield in the recent transfer window, also completed 81.5 per cent of his passes and created a chance, although his strengths clearly lie in defence.

"We both laugh about it - I was not really easy on the eye, he is not easy on the eye, we are both not Messi," Klopp said. "But who cares?

"In the air, he is a monster, he loves having challenges on the pitch, and today he was incredible. For the first game, I'm pretty sure everybody can imagine how nervy that can be after a long wait, after a crazy story.

"Three years ago, he was on his way to America to study at college, then he came to our second team, trained with us, impressed us.

"Then in the summer, at the beginning of the transfer window, like 12 Championship teams wanted him, so for me it was clear that he would go. I was fine with it in that moment.

"Then it didn't work out for I don't know which reason - for us, good! Tonight he was spot on, helped the team incredibly, it was really a good performance."