Jurgen Klopp has refused to compare the current Liverpool side to their title-winning squad and insists there is space to ‘improve’ this season.
Liverpool have made an excellent start to the new campaign and are unbeaten after 10 fixtures, with the Reds currently the league’s leading scorers after successive 5-0 wins against Watford and Manchester United.
Optimism has been raised that Liverpool can challenge for the Premier League once again this season, having endured a disappointing defence last term after their drought-breaking 2019/20 triumph.
Klopp has refused to compare his current contingent to that successful side, however, and believes Liverpool can still improve despite strong showings in recent weeks.
“I think the team hasn’t changed too much [from 2020]. Gini [Wijnaldum] is out, Diogo [Jota], Thiago [Alcantara] in,” Klopp told his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Brighton.
“I don’t think about comparisons and if we’re better now. It is not too important. We have to improve and there is space for that.
“You win 5-0 against United and it’s perfect, but it was not. United had clear-cut chances which we gave them.
“So we should not rely on luck or Alisson. And that’s what we spoke about at half time.”
🗣 "We all know that it change pretty quickly."
Jurgen Klopp on the high standards of the Premier League with Liverpool not in first place after their performances pic.twitter.com/27N9y4iLqb
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 29, 2021
Klopp was asked about how he is able to keep his large squad content with regular minutes, but believes it is not possible to have each player happy with their individual involvement.
The German said that accepting the manager’s decision is part of football, however, and insists his squad are all working hard in training as they bid to make an impression this season.
“I don’t think it’s possible and I don’t think I have done it. You should ask the players.
“The thing we have to do is win games especially when you play for Liverpool. When you are in football you learn early that you have to accept the decisions the manager makes.
“I want them to be good in training so they show when they come in they can be really influential.
“The players are doing that but they aren’t always happy. I want them to be happy but I want them to be angry as well when an opponent wants our points. It’s just what we do over the weeks and months.”
