Klopp is understood to be considering naming
Sturridge as substitute, as the England forward continues his quest for full fitness. (Barrett)
Tony Barrett
Published 1 minute ago
JĂźrgen Klopp has introduced a hardline regime at Liverpool that has turned the clubâs
Melwood training ground into a no-go zone for playersâ wives. The new manager has also
cracked down on the amount of time off each player is allowed.
In a passionate speech this week, Klopp informed his players that âMelwood is the
headquarters of footballâ, the inference being that any socialising should be done elsewhere
and their only focus while at the training ground should be on work.
In keeping with the policy that he had in place at Borussia Dortmund, Klopp has made it clear
that wives and girlfriends should not be invited to the training ground during working hours.
However, the German has stopped short of implementing a blanket ban because of an
understanding that there will be occasions when partners are welcome.
Players have also discovered that scheduled time off has been cancelled as Klopp attempts to
turn Liverpool into one of the Barclays Premier Leagueâs fittest and hardest-working teams.
Although the 48-year-old is yet to introduce double training sessions, as was the case at
Dortmund, the emphasis he places on industry and maximum effort is already becoming
apparent.
âWe need to train as often and for as long as it is possible,â Klopp said. His methods will be
put to the test for the first time in this country today, when Liverpool take on Tottenham
Hotspur at White Hart Lane. Regardless of the challenge confronting him, Klopp insists that
taking over as manager of Liverpool does not present a risk to his reputation as one of
Europeâs most revered and sought- after coaches.
âI am many things but I am not a gambler,â Klopp said. âNo, absolutely not. I had no contact
to any other club. For me itâs very easy not to read the sport news. I have worked a whole day,
so I am not interested. Sometimes I look at the other teams but not me. When I heard about
the interest from Liverpool, I didnât think, âOK, maybe I should wait.â No, I never had a plan.
âI heard it, I felt what I felt. And then I got some information, more and more. I am interested
in English football, so I knew many things [already]. And then we decided together that we
wanted to do this. We knew it was a big challenge. But life is a challenge, so itâs not the
biggest problem.â
Kloppâs first task will be to pick a team to face Spurs in the middle of an injury crisis that has
left him without Danny Ings, Joe Gomez, Christian Benteke, Jordan Henderson and Roberto
Firmino. Regardless of his lack of options, Klopp is understood to be considering naming
Daniel Sturridge as substitute, as the England forward continues his quest for full fitness, and
fielding Divock Origi as a lone attacker.
The scale of the injury problems that Klopp has encountered has prompted him to include a
quartet of young players in the squad that travelled from Liverpool to London yesterday.
Connor Randall, a defender, Jerome Sinclair, a forward, and JoĂŁo Carlos Texeira and Pedro
Chirivella, both midfielders, are under consideration for a place on the Liverpool bench.
Klopp is likely to dispense with the 3-4-3 system that Brendan Rodgers deployed before his
sacking a fortnight ago, and will instead revert to a flat back four as he seeks to implement the
pressing game that he hopes will help to revive Liverpoolâs fortunes after inheriting a team
who have won only five league matches since April.
âHe has said to us that he wants an intense team, a team in which everybody has to run,â
Alberto Moreno, the left back, said. âHe doesnât want individualism and I like this way of
thinking. He wants us working together, he wants us to be a team all of the time, and I like
this idea.
âI think it matches my way of playing. I am always aggressive, energetic and give my all, so it
matches Kloppâs style of playing. Above all, we need to keep working â to keep working
hard to make a place for myself in the team and keep working under his orders.
âHe loves football and he transmits that to us. We have to take that on to the pitch. I knew he
was very intense, very smart and someone who analyses the opponent very well.
âThat has been reflected in what Dortmund achieved, which was incredible. It caught the
attention of Europe. He had so many great players, but you need a good manager to manage
those players. Klopp did it very well during the time he was there and I hope he will do as
well here as he did in Dortmund.â
