adminLIVERPOOL. — Jurgen Klopp wants Liverpool to play with “more fun in their eyes” when his reign starts in earnest at Tottenham tomorrow.
The new Liverpool manager is anxious to cut through the hysteria which has surrounded his arrival in the English Premier League as successor to Brendan Rodgers and begin the task of reviving results.
Klopp has quickly identified how expectation hangs heavy on his squad and wants his players to perform with the sort of freedom of expression that was beyond them in the final weeks of Rodgers’ reign.
“I know how I want to play,” said Klopp. “It’s only football and all these guys are able to play really good football.
“That is what they did in their past, that’s why they are here.
“We have to open our chests. Let’s run and fight and shoot, defend together and attack together like in your best dream of what football looks like.
“I want to see more braveness. I want to see more fun in their eyes. I want to see that they like what they do.
“I saw it in the week. They’re really good boys. Up to now we don’t have enough goals, but you have to feel stability first. Then you are free offensively and creativity.”
The former Borussia Dortmund coach has seen his every move played out in public since being unveiled last Friday and the optimism surrounding his appointment has been like no other in Liverpool’s recent history.
Klopp admitted he has bumped into supporters who have told him “we win the league, we win the league, we win the league” but he said: “Everyone says it will cool down and hope it’s not because of results.
“The most important thing we have to do is train as often and as long as is possible and not think about expectations from outside.
“My pressure I make myself is big enough, so don’t need anyone to tell me how I need to be successful.”
Klopp has confirmed Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino will miss his first game in charge of Liverpool. — The Daily Express.
Online Reporter