I’m not gung-ho – our aim is to defend with 10 attacking players, says Klopp
Jurgen Klopp has denied that his natural instinct is to create a team that is geared towards attacking, insisting his Liverpool side have a “defending approach”.
Liverpool’s strength in attack and frailty in defence was highlighted by last week’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Arsenal, but Klopp said the goals conceded were not a reflection of a gung-ho approach.
“We have a defending approach,” the manager said. “We played 4-5-1 and they all have responsibility to defend. As long as they do it, we can line up quite offensive player-wise.
“There is nobody on the pitch who is not involved in defending. The goals were not because we were not defending. The goals came because we let them cross. It happens in a football game. We let them shoot, it happens also.”
Liverpool take on Swansea at Anfield today having scored 41 goals in the league, the second-best attacking record in the division behind leaders Manchester City. They have conceded 23 goals, the joint-highest with Arsenal in the top seven.
Asked if his natural instinct was to attack the opposition, Klopp said: “No, to be honest that’s not true. I want to defend first of all, because that is the basis for everything. The best thing is to defend with 10 offensive players, because when you have the ball it’s much more likely that you will score.
“We cannot stand deep and defend with 10 players. That does not work at Anfield, and it does not work anywhere else.”
Liverpool were undermined by individual defensive errors in the draw against Arsenal, with goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and young defender Joe Gomez at fault. Loris Karius could now play in goal against Swansea.
“It’s obvious that everyone saw the mistakes, and with Simon that will never happen again,” said Klopp. “He never concedes a goal like that so we don’t have to make a big deal of it. And Joe, so good, such a fantastic improvement, development – outstanding. Played for England, played for us. He is still a young lad and we have to learn.”