KLOPP FIRED UP AND READY TO FIGHT
to be perfect to win. It’s about being the team we want to be and that’s the one team nobody wants to play against.
“We will fight, we will fight the circumstance, we will fight the situation, we will fight tomorrow night, that is what we will do
– we have the chance to be that team [against Spurs], then on Sunday. Then again and again.” Liverpool have endured five Premier League games without a win – their worst run under Klopp – scoring only once in those matches.
He knows it is one of his biggest challenges since arriving at Anfield in 2015, especially as he concedes there is little chance of landing the centre-half he desperately needs before the transfer window closes on Monday.
Asked if there will be signings, he replied: “No, not really. I would not say absolutely 100 per cent no, but I don’t expect anything to be honest.”
But Klopp is adamant he is ready for the tests ahead, even that of another five months with only one semi-fit senior centre-half in Joel Matip.
He said: “A challenge is good. I don’t think my life should always be perfect. If something goes wrong, we have to work on it.”
Klopp has held several meetings with the players in which he has tried to get their situation in perspective and focus on the football, even amid the global pandemic.
He said: “Of course there are much more serious problems out there but when we are on the pitch the only problem we can solve is the football problem. We focus on the chance to sort it out. We think we can sort it.”
Jose Mourinho has begged referee Martin Atkinson and fourth official Kevin Friend to act if Klopp indulges in more touchline histrionics tonight.
When the clubs met in December, the Spurs boss complained about the German’s behaviour.
Mourinho said yesterday: “I just hope the referee and fourth official act the way they have to act.”