07 April 2023 , 21:30
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Liverpool have been dragged into the heart of a whirlwind - and it will take some “smart recruitment” to escape its brutal force.
That is the opinion of manager Jurgen Klopp, who believes his players have been caught in a force of nature beyond their control this season, and can’t escape its ferocious pull.
The Reds have taken just a single point from two games at the start of a week the boss himself admits will define their season, and face Premier League leaders Arsenal next.
But Klopp says the cyclone is not over yet, with a summer reset the best chance of escape. “You get in this whirlwind and it sucks you in that direction. And all of a sudden it's like "wow, where are we?',” he explained.
“What I know is that we have to go through this. That's it, that's what I know. And then there will be a new start naturally because it's a new season, a new start 100 percent.
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“Then we will see what changes we make, but until then we have to go through this. And that's a super challenge, a massive challenge obviously in this [modern] world. It was not easy 20 years ago and now it is close to impossible.”
Klopp though, suggested that Arsenal can offer the inspiration his club needs, to realise that some clever signings can make a huge difference. The Liverpool boss has said for some months now that he will undertake a rebuilding programme at Anfield in the summer, and he says those changes are key to returning the club to the summit of the game.
“Arsenal deserves where they are (top of the table). I know people are asking for time for managers but I really think Mikel deserved each minute he got there when it was not going incredibly well.
Jurgen Klopp is preparing his side to face Arsenal this weekend (Getty Images)“Good transfers, brought in super important players but not too many. The difference is whatever we do next year will never be enough from people’s point of view and your point of view.
“But yes with smart recruitment we will improve - definitely. That is the plan. And I think this club has a chance to go through this in a classy way. We cannot make 24 changes and say 'here we go' - not even 10 - but it is just that we have to make changes - smart changes - and then we go again.”
Klopp also pointed out that during Arsenal’s struggles under Arteta in recent seasons, the setbacks helped make his squad stronger, and he believes this season’s Anfield turmoil can still help his side.
He added: “I said last week that I hate the fact that I have to rely on what we did in the past…I couldn't care less what we did in the past, honestly. But because we can't ignore the past, it's not like we can't forget it, but if we go through this together we can have a massive benefit next year, not guaranteed but a good chance.
(Getty Images)“In this season we have two of the highest results in our history 9-0 and 7-0, but obviously that makes it even more strange. I am not a worse manager than last year, definitely not.
“It doesn’t mean the outcome is good enough, not at all. But I'm not worse - and the players are not worse players. They just play worse. That's definitely the case.
“So it is like it is still hidden somewhere there and we have to let it out again. Next chance for us [to do that] is Arsenal.”
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Thiago is fit and could return against Arsenal, but Klopp revealed that Luis Diaz’s return after a long absence is planned for Leeds in a week’s time.