Daily Express

Klopp calls for Kop kickstart

- Gideon Brooks

JURGEN KLOPP has urged his players to grab the momentum back in a faltering season after admitting Anfield has lost its positive vibe since the turn of the year.

The Liverpool manager held an extra-long team meeting on Sunday at Melwood to discuss the reasons for a run of just two points from the past nine on offer in the league this year.

He told his squad they need to produce a performanc­e tomorrow in the EFL Cup against Southampto­n – having fallen 1-0 behind in the first leg of the semi-final – in order to bring hope and belief back to Anfield.

“I can feel it around us – it is not that positive any more,” said Klopp. “It is our turn to bring everybody back on track.

“It is a night game at Anfield and the impact of a win would be unbelievab­le. It would get an outstandin­g performanc­e from the crowd. It is going to be difficult because Southampto­n are in a good run at this moment, but at 1-0 everything is still possible for us and we want to go to the final.”

Klopp’s belief that Liverpool are entering a pivotal part of their campaign is evident from the meeting, which was both longer and more formal than his usual post-training sessions.

He encouraged his players not only to kickstart their year, but also to embrace their role as the Premier League’s entertaine­rs. “The goals we have conceded in 2017 have been a little bit of the same story,” said Klopp. “The influence of throw-ins is a little bit too big on the goals we concede. But it is also about enjoying the role we have.

“We are Liverpool, and a really good football-playing side, and [at the moment] we don’t enjoy the job we have to do.”

 ??  ?? KLOPP: Appeal
KLOPP: Appeal

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