Klopp confident Reds can stop January rot

Reds boss optimistic of positive result against Chelsea

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is confident their season can turn around as quickly as it faltered as he looks to put a miserable January behind him with a win over Chelsea tonight.

The Premier League leaders are probably the worst opponents for Klopp’s men as they look to avoid equalling the unwanted record for successive home defeats – four – for only the second time in the club’s history and the first time since 1923.

EFL and FA Cup exits to Southampton and Wolves respectively have only darkened the mood at Anfield in a month in which the Reds have won just once in eight matches. Klopp, however, has to remain positive.

“It’s an interesting sign of life that it can change in one month,” he said ahead of the visit of Antonio Conte’s table-toppers.

“But, of course my job here is really to put out the emotion when I judge situations. After a bad game, I cannot say ‘now we have to get rid of him and change everything’.

“In this moment we need, especially, as a team, to have faith, belief and all that stuff – that’s the main thing in the job: to stay calm and make the right decisions.

“We lost a few games we should have won and I think a lot of people think in this moment it could be difficult for Liverpool, and it is difficult, no doubt about this, but possible.

“Stay positive. There is no reason for anything else. Absolutely not. It will help a lot against Chelsea.”

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte meanwhile wants his Premier League leaders to land a blow on Liverpool’s title hopes.

Liverpool – for whom forward Sadio Mane may get a place on the bench after flying home from the African Nations Cup following Senegal’s exit – have inflicted one of Chelsea’s three league losses this season, winning 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in September.

Conte pointed to the fact 15 games remain after their trip to Anfield, saying “the result doesn’t decide the season of Chelsea or Liverpool tomorrow”.

But he believes the Reds may find it too difficult to respond from defeat in the remaining 15 games.

“It could be a hard hit mentally for them,” Conte said.

“It’s important to win this type of game, increase you confidence, take three points from a rival. I hope to change the result if you compare the first game and the first part of the season.”

Conte described the fact the match was taking place on the evening the January transfer window closes as “very strange”.

For now, at least, defender Branislav Ivanovic and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic are in the squad, with Conte reporting no injuries ahead of yesterday afternoon’s training session.

Ivanovic’s nine-year stay at Chelsea could be nearing an end with Zenit St Petersburg a rumoured destination, while Begovic will be allowed to join Bournemouth if the Blues can find a suitable replacement.

Jurgen Klopp hopes his side can avoid a fourth successive home defeat tonight against Chelsea.