LEED ING THE WAY
Klopp wants quick start
JURGEN KLOPP has told his Liverpool players they must be ready for the stern test Leeds will pose in their season opener.
The Premier League champions begin the defence of their crown at Anfield on Saturday and Klopp is wary of the threat posed by Marcelo Bielsa’s newcomers.
He knows Leeds will be difficult because of Bielsa’s high- pressing, intense style and says his players must be up for this challenge.
“The first game against Leeds will be really tough,” said Klopp.
“They have a specific style of play, man- marking over the whole pitch, and that makes it intense.
“We have to be ready for that, but we have a few days.
“Hopefully all the other boys now stay healthy in the international games, then they come back and we have three days to work together on that.”
Klopp feels Liverpool have made the best of their unusual four- week pre- season and was frustrated, like every manager, to lose a chunk of his squad for the Nations League games.
But he was more bothered by Liverpool’s defensive sloppiness as they went 2- 0 down against Blackpool at Anfield on Saturday – before recovering to win 7- 2!
They also conceded two early goals against Red Bull Salzburg because of mistakes and Klopp says they must be sharper.
“It was a lack of aggression from our side, a lack of desire a little bit for this game,” said Klopp after the Blackpool win.
“The goals we conceded, yeah, they’re mistakes and that’s typical for pre- season games.
“But so far I think we conceded
pretty much all the goals in similar situations – losing the ball in the build- up, then it’s a counter- attack, it’s a free chance pretty much.
“We know that and it’s clear we cannot do it like this. We have to improve that.”
Joel Matip scored against Blackpool on his return from injury, while skipper Jordan Henderson resumes full training tomorrow.
Klopp was also pleased to see Takumi Minamino score for the second game in succession
He said: “It’s important for Taki and important for us.”