MX23RW : Sunday, December 29 19:33:48| >> :60:388:388:

Jurgen Klopp refusing to "put the finger" on players for poor form

The champions are 19 points off Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists he does not blame the players for the disappointing drop off in results which has left the defending champions in a battle for the top four.

A return of just nine points – and two wins – from a possible 33 since thrashing Crystal Palace 7-0 on December 19 has seen the Reds fall from first to sixth.

With their title defence in tatters Liverpool are left with a significant challenge just to secure Champions League qualification but Klopp said "careers don't end after this season".

"We will try everything this season but there are so many things we can learn from it," he said.

"We can really learn a lot of things about what we did right even when the whole world thought it was wrong, and what we did wrong, even when people didn't realise it.

"And while we are doing that we go through this (tough period) but our football lives – our career – doesn't end after this season.

"I don't go and put the finger on my players and blame them for the situation – I don't do that.

"We are all responsible for it, I am mainly responsible for it. What we go through now, we have to sort problems now, immediately, and in the long term we can get the benefit of what we are going through in the moment.

"It's not cool but there are much worse things out there than the situation we are in as a football club."

Despite the criticism which has come their way, Klopp insists it has not adversely affected the training ground environment.

"The atmosphere is really good every morning when you come in, but it's not the boys are making massive jokes first thing and everybody is laughing like crazy. It's not like this," he added ahead of what is a must-win game at bottom side Sheffield United.

"The atmosphere is about trust – it is that we trust each other, that we like each other, that we respect each other, that we do these kind of things and we create a situation that we always find a way for ourselves to become positive again for the next game, optimistic about the next game.

"So yes, going into the game that is a massive challenge, and that is exactly what we do – what we do together.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp throws his arms wide on the touchline
Jurgen Klopp insists he is ready to do the dirty work to get things back on track (Phil Noble/PA)

"Maybe the important message even in this moment is we are still Liverpool and that is what we feel.

"We are Liverpool when we win 20 games in a row or whatever and don't lose, and not when we lose matches? No, we are still Liverpool.

"That, of course, gives me energy, so I am not here only for the big celebrations, I am here for the work.

"And if it is the dirty work, the hard work, no problem."

ID:437021: cacheID:437021:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6134:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Takumi Minamino in action for Liverpool on January 23, 2020
Read Next:
Tuesday's Liverpool transfer talk: Minamino, Neuhaus, Mbappe
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Cardinals
9-13
Rams
6pm
Jets
@
Bills
6pm
Panthers
@
Buccaneers
6pm
Colts
@
Giants
6pm
Titans
@
Jags
6pm
Raiders
@
Saints
9.25pm
Packers
@
Vikings
9.05pm
Dolphins
@
Browns
6pm
Cowboys
@
Eagles
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
3Arsenal18106235161936
4Chelsea18105338211735
5Manchester CityMan City199463226631
6Bournemouth198652923630
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford187383232024
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1913151239-276


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!