Jurgen Klopp issues challenge to Liverpool stars with Arsenal loss still hurting
Jurgen Klopp reckons Liverpool have all the tools in the toolbox - they just need to make sure they use them right.
The Kop boss felt the Reds failed to get to grips with Arsenal last weekend. It wasn’t a hammering by the Gunners but their second defeat of the campaign did cut into the Merseysiders’ lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Manchester City can turn the screw in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off against Everton as Pep Guardiola's side can go top with a win. But the Reds can wrench back control if they return to winning ways by beating Burnley later on in the afternoon.
“We have a tool box full of the right tools, we just have to use them and we didn’t do that properly at Arsenal,” said Klopp. “We just have to admit that. That is why on top of the pure defeat that we couldn’t do that on that day was really painful. But now that was long ago and we have to try again.”
Their loss to the Gunners was just their second in the league and given the other came against Tottenham and in controversial circumstances, it is a sign of the growth of Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0 already.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush
But the German still appeared to be hurting from the defeat which came just days after one of their best performances of the season when they thrashed Chelsea 4-1.
“Before we played Arsenal, they were more or less out of form, out of the race, out of everything,” said Klopp. “They win the game and everything is great.
"We beat Chelsea a few days before it really looked like: 'wow, Liverpool really goes for it this year'. So it is not important and the last game is the least important if you want and the only thing you can use it for is to react.
“To maintain, to do it again or to change it and with us it is always a little bit, with the general shape we're in, we need to do both.”
Liverpool now have to react against Burnley and given the Clarets are relegation candidates then there will be an expectation on the Reds to steamroll Vincent Kompany’s side.
But Klopp is too shrewd to fall into the trap that this will be an easy afternoon at a ground where they haven’t lost in a domestic competition since October 2022.
"We need to keep the good stuff in a game where people expect us to win,” he added. “Nobody goes to Arsenal and thinks they will win it clearly and there is always reasonable doubt about that but Burnley at home, it is completely different.
"For us it is important we just ignore who the opponent is. We get all the information, the position in the table, the name of the club, history, it is all not important.
“It is our game, we want to get through and we have to do the right stuff.”
Visit the Mirror Football YouTube channel to see Manchester City star Rodri's in-depth discussion with our Chief Football Writer John Cross.
Everton chiefs face transfer backlash from fans after deadline day disaster
and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
