MX23RW : Monday, November 25 11:51:56| >> :60:468:468:

Jurgen Klopp: 'Liverpool not over-reliant on forward Sadio Mane'

Jurgen Klopp admits that Liverpool "must do better as a defensive unit", as he brushes aside claims that his side are becoming too reliant on certain individuals.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has denied suggestions that his side's disappointing run of form is down to the absence of energetic forward Sadio Mane.

The Reds have won just one of their last five games without the Senegal international, who is currently away on Africa Cup of Nations duty in Gabon.

To make matters worse for Klopp, fellow attacker Philippe Coutinho has required time to get back up to speed following a two-month layoff and defender Joel Matip had to be left out due to uncertainty over his eligibility.

The former Borussia Dortmund boss insists that his players stand or fall together, though, telling reporters: "Sometimes there's a single mistake, but most of the time it is seven or eight players who could have done something differently. That's how we understand it. It's not about one player.

"We really have to do better as a defensive unit. That was one of the things we discussed in our long meeting after the Swansea game, and I think we are all ready for the rest of the season now. The feeling around the club is not quite as positive as it was, and it's our job to bring that positivity back."

Liverpool's only victory of 2017 came in their FA Cup third-round replay with Plymouth Argyle - a slender 1-0 triumph at Home Park.

ID:290172: cacheID:290172:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2624:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Jurgen Klopp watches on sternly during the Premier League game between Sunderland and Liverpool on January 2, 2017
Read Next:
Klopp vows to "fight for everything"
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


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!