Klopp: Liverpool must get angry against Hull City
Jurgen Klopp has called for a sense of Anfield “anger” to reverse the perception that Liverpool save their best form for the English Premier League’s big guns.
The Liverpool manager directly addressed the issue of why his reign so far has been t ypified by eyecatching results against the strongest clubs, swiftly followed by defeats to mid- table sides or those expected to be fighting relegation.
Liverpool have impressed against Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea and champions Leicester this season, making their sole loss to Burnley an anomaly.
There remains a sense of distrust about what the side will achieve while such aberrations occur, but Klopp feels Liverpool supporters are as guilty as the players for saving their best form for more glamorous games.
“We all know that when you play at home at 3pm, it i s so different to Thursday night against Dortmund,” said Klopp, ahead of tonight’s visit of Hull City. “I know the opponent I cannot change but is it only because it is afternoon and not night? The fact I get asked this question two or three times shows something is wrong with the expectations about a game like this.
“It’s not about the name of the opponent. You can hear it in the stadium. If you miss a chance in a big game, it’s like, ‘ go again’. If you miss a chance in another game, it’s like, ‘ oh my God, not the same s — again’.
“Rubbish. If you miss a chance, you stay patient. You don’t lose your nerve and start shooting from 45 yards. I spoke to the players about it, as the only difference I see is we get frustrated after missing chances. We lose our nerve. Stay patient, stay positive, that is really important. Don’t frustrate yourself after five minutes.
“I would like to see everybody with the right attitude, and not be disappointed if we miss a chance after 10 minutes. It is not easier against Hull. Why should it be easier? I can 100 per cent guarantee it’s not about the attitude of the players.”
Klopp called for Anfield “anger” to ensure the same approach that brought success against Chelsea last weekend, insisting the issue is not tactical if teams play a defensive style.
“We have to be angry against Hull because they want our points — that makes me angry, so it’s easy for me,” said Klopp.
“So many people think we have a problem against ‘ bus parking’. I cannot remember a lot of space against Chelsea or Tottenham. We have to find solutions. I think we all can improve — the team, coaches, manager and the crowd.
“I’m not saying Hull are a busparking team. You don’t win all these games five or six- nil. Neither do Real Madrid and Barcelona.
“There’s a positive mood in and around the club. It’s good. We didn’t score goals only out of counterattacks. We didn’t score against Arsenal only out of counter- attacks. They tried to defend against us, too. It’s the same with Hull.”
Klopp’s dilemma ahead of the weekend is whether to recall goalkeeper Simon Mignolet or persist with Loris Karius, who kept a clean sheet against Derby County in the League Cup but was never tested as Liverpool eased to victory.
The £ 4.7 million German signing from Mainz last summer would already be No 1 if he had not been injured in pre- season and Klopp seems to be wrestling with the decision of who should face Hull.
He knows the confidence of Mignolet could be seriously affected if he i s left out, but Karius moved to Merseyside expecting to be given his opportunity sooner rather than later. One of them will not be happy when informed of the decision today.
“But in the end, it’s 100 per cent positive. Liverpool will have a very strong goalkeeper between the posts [ tonight].”