Jurgen Klopp has demanded more from Liverpool and admits his side ‘cannot just continue’ in their current form.
Liverpool have endured a difficult season and were thrashed 4-1 at Manchester City on Saturday, a result which leaves the Reds eighth in the table and eight points adrift of the Champions League places.
Klopp’s side have won just five times in 16 fixtures across all competitions in 2023 and the German admits he is under pressure to turn results around. Brendan Rodgers (Leicester) and Graham Potter (Chelsea) were the latest Premier League managers sacked over the weekend, taking the total to a record-breaking 13 dismissals during the current campaign.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Chelsea, Klopp said his past achievements have provided him with patience at Liverpool, but acknowledges that the club’s current form can not continue.
“I’m aware of the fact I’m sitting here because of the past and not because of what we did this season,” he told his pre-match press conference.
“If this was my first season it would be slightly different. Yes, we have smart owners who know about the situation. Better ask them why that’s the case!
“No, I’m not (afraid) and I don’t think Graham was afraid. There’s no need to be afraid. We’re here to deliver, not here as a talisman, or for murals on house walls. I know that I’m 100% here to deliver.
“I know I’m still here because of what happened over the last few years and I don’t like the fact I had to rely on that.
“Is it right? We’ll see. We have to sort it. We cannot just continue playing like we do from time to time. That’s not allowed. I’m really disappointed in us and that we do these kind of things, but it happened.
“We have to find a way out and that’s what we’re constantly working on.”
Klopp discussed the record number of managerial sackings this season and described it as an ‘awful number’, but admits the pressures of Premier League football invariably lead to change.
“It’s an awful number. But it is how it is,” Klopp told his pre-match press conference.
“Some clubs are underachieving this year. Especially when in relegation battles, we all know how much it means financially for clubs. You could say similar things about being in the Champions League or not being in the Champions League.
“Expectations are out there and rightly so, and if you don’t reach them you have to accept their decisions.”
