Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp addressed the media ahead of his side’s clash with Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has told his pre-match press conference his side can not be the same side as before the international break, the Liverpool Echo reports.
The Reds went top of the Premier League prior to the international break with a 6-1 win over Watford and will look to stay at the summit when they take on Southampton at St Mary’s this weekend.
Klopp told reporters, as reported by the Liverpool Echo: “We can not be the same team as before the international break, we have to come back on the right track.”
Klopp said they didn’t know the exact extent of Adam Lallana’s injury following the international break – after he limped off in the first half of England’s 2-2 draw with Spain on Tuesday, though it looks likely he will miss Saturday’s meeting against his former club.
The Liverpool boss said he had yet to see either Roberto Firmino or Philippe Coutinho as they returned from international duty with Brazil last night.
One man who made some headlines during the break was Daniel Sturridge, with one report in the Daily Mirror suggesting the forward was looking for a move away from Anfield in the January window.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp with Daniel Sturridge as he prepares to come on
Klopp was asked about the rumours, and admitted in his comments that the forward could be happy with more game time.
But the Liverpool manager added: “He came back and was happy to see us again. I could see it in his face. That’s a good sign.
“My opinion is very good about Daniel. It never changed. He is a wonderful football player.”
Sturridge wasn’t the only player subject to rumours, as it seems to have gone into overdrive over the possibility of Philippe Coutinho ending up at Barcelona.
On the 24-year-old, Klopp commented: “My opinion is he fits really well here and we all hope and think his future is here at Liverpool but he is still very young.
“It’s about us, it’s about the club. The owners are not a problem so it’s about creating the perspective that nobody wants to leave. If a club can pay double what we pay who am I to say to the player not to think of their kids or grandkids, but there are not a lot of clubs who can do this.
“I’m not worried about anything. The players like to be here. It’s our job to keep it like this.
Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho scores their second goal
Looking ahead to Saturday’s game: Klopp praised Southampton’s abilities, their appointment of Claude Puel and the Saints scouting department – with three of the Reds expected starting XI on Saturday in Sadio Mane, Nathaniel Clyne and Dejan Lovren all bought from the club.
But the Reds’ boss is keen to take care of business at the weekend, saying: “We want to go there and win, rather than celebrate Southampton’s scouting department.”
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