Klopp: We are like Rocky trying to knock out Drago
Jurgen Klopp responded to claims Liverpool could win the Premier League title this season by describing his club as plucky street-fighters trying to overcome all-powerful Manchester City.
Klopp said Liverpool were “like Rocky Balboa not Ivan Drago” – a reference to the film Rocky IV in which the unfancied boxer must overcome a formidable rival.
Liverpool’s manager qualified the statement by pointing out that the fictional character was victorious against his adversary. “I don’t want to be the underdog. I want to win, and Rocky won,” said Klopp. “It’s the only difference.
“Now we have the best tools of all? It’s not true. City were a fantastic team last year and they brought in [Riyad] Mahrez.
“Tottenham didn’t bring in anybody but they are still a fantastic team who will develop. Arsenal is a fantastic team, so why should we now be the favourites?
“We didn’t do anything so far. You cannot be the No1 if you didn’t win so far. Our potential is good, what we do with it, we will see.
“I don’t see us as an underdog, I see us as a team that challenges – the ones who have to do more, who have to run more, who have to jump more. That’s all.”
Liverpool have spent significantly on four new signings, including a new goalkeeper, Alisson. Klopp said it was clear where he needed to strengthen. “I think our areas were obvious. If Alisson was not on the market, we don’t move for a goalkeeper. He was on the market, so we went for it,” he said.
“That was clear long before [the Champions League final]. Did we want to have more options offensively? That was clear. [Xherdan] Shaqiri ticks different boxes he can be wide, he can play 10 and now, at this point in the season, it looks like he can play eight.”