Cape Times

With Klopp, everything is fresh, says Ibe

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LONDON: Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has helped instil a never-say-die mentality among his players to believe a game can always be won regardless of the situation, winger Jordon Ibe has said.

The charismati­c 48-year-old German took over from Brendan Rodgers, who was sacked after just eight Premier League games this season, last month and has set about adjusting his squad’s approach to adversity.

Klopp won his first league game as Liverpool manager on Saturday against champions Chelsea, the Reds fighting back for a 3-1 victory after conceding within the first four minutes.

Ibe, who has made 12 appearance­s this season, said the game against Chelsea was the perfect example of how Klopp had influenced the squad.

“It was one of the most important things the new manager has said - we need to be a team who can be 2-0 down and know there is still time for us to get a goal,” Ibe told the club’s website.

“It could be in the last 10 minutes, so it’s just about having a mentality that is like ‘it’s now up to us to go and get two goals and then a third one’.

“It was great for the team to come back from 1-0 down because it is difficult to do that and beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. With the new manager, everything is fresh.”

Midfielder Joe Allen also praised Klopp and is keen to impress him.

“It’s almost like the reset button has been pressed for everyone at the club and we’ve got a clean slate to re-focus and try to impress him so we can be part of his plans,” Allen said.

“Everyone has been impressed with the new manager’s ideas and approach. – Reuters

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