Jurgen Klopp has explained why he gave Liverpool's players two days off after their embarrassing defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers - and is convinced they are already feeling the benefit.
The Reds were back at the AXA Training Centre less than 24 hours after their 3-0 Premier League defeat at Molineux last Saturday for their usual recovery session following a match.
Beforehand, though, the coaching staff and squad held an impromptu meeting in which they analysed the dismal loss that has left the Reds a whopping 11 points off the Champions League qualification places.
READ MORE: Fabinho could switch position to relight Liverpool spark and shock Everton
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp admission gives the game away over three missing Liverpool players
Liverpool were then given Monday and Tuesday off before they reconvened at Kirkby to begin preparations for the Merseyside derby at home to Everton on Monday.
And when asked about the short break, Klopp said: "You can train every day but it is not beneficial. We played bad at Wolverhampton, next day we came in then we took two days off.
"We made the analysis, we spoke to each other and then gave them two days off because it is a very long time between Saturday and Monday.
"I could have Sunday training and recovery, and from Monday we go from there. That wouldn't have been helpful at all, it would have been bad, it would have caused injuries, it would have caused a lot of problems.
"To be honest, on Sunday after we spoke I thought 100% it makes sense if we don’t see each other for two days. And it was helpful. I left on Sunday in an average mood and came back in a good mood and I worked through it. I had a lot of phone calls, but I was in a much better mood. We benefited from it."
Klopp, who was speaking at his regular pre-match media conference on Friday, has seen his demeanour in such settings questioned in some quarters in recent weeks.
And the Reds boss said: "We have a few problems, in the best possible period we ever had it is very easy to do a press conference because you don't ask important questions, it is like, 'Oh my God, he scored three goals' and these kind of things and we have a laugh together and it's nice.
"Then it is not going well and of course you cannot explain similar 500 mistakes in a different way or new mistakes. We try and get through this and I am responsible for it and so I have to be careful with it. That's why it is so difficult to talk all the time about things like this. It is difficult, not impossible, but it is not as enjoyable.
"I can explain in football absolutely everything - but not to you (journalists). That's true. If you don't understand it yourself find someone to explain it to you. Maybe after my career you can call me and ask 'What happened there?' and I can explain it to you but it is not my job. What I see is not for you."
Klopp added: "People can say what they want, it is absolutely fine. There is the problem. I can explain everything to the boys and we understand most of it because not everything is to understand to be 100% honest and then we go from there. That's the good thing about it. The next game is coming up and we have a chance for a much better result and a much easier press conference."
READ NEXT:
Jurgen Klopp confirms Thiago blow and four more Liverpool injury updates
Full recap of everything Jurgen Klopp said in his press conference for Everton
Jurgen Klopp has repeated biggest transfer mistake despite Liverpool midfield crisis
Liverpool confirm European Super League stance after new proposals emerge
Arsenal star Martin Odegaard explains Liverpool snub after turning down 'dream club'
