Jürgen Klopp has dismissed comparisons between his impact at Liverpool and the overhaul of Borussia Dortmund, but described the enjoyment he took from the Capital One Cup destruction of Southampton as a sign of progress.
Liverpool head to struggling Newcastle United on Sunday seeking an eighth win in nine matches under Klopp, who has lost once since replacing Brendan Rodgers almost two months ago. The team’s transformation under the German coach has provoked memories of his time at Dortmund, whom he guided from 13th to champions in three seasons.
Klopp said: “I don’t think it is right to compare. We worked in completely different circumstances and with different individuals in Dortmund. We didn’t have a Dortmund plan and say: ‘OK, give us three years and we’ll win the German title.’ We don’t have that plan here either. We just always try to learn and understand more about the players. That is really the most important thing.
“It is not our job to find a new way to play football. For this you need a genius and we are not. We try to make the best with the players we have and at this moment we don’t know what is best. We only know about the way to go.”
The Liverpool manager lamented his players’ lack of confidence early in his reign but believes Wednesday’s 6-1 win at St Mary’s showed that belief, and enjoyment, are returning. “There are another 30, 35 games to go this season depending on the cups and I don’t know how long it will take and I don’t think about that,” he said. “I only think about the next game and how all of us can enjoy our next game.
“We could enjoy the second half of the Southampton game on the bench, not because the game was finished but because the players never lost concentration and did what they had to do until the end. You could see the body language of the Southampton players change, not my side. That is a good sign.
“You can’t always play with a miserable face – OK, that’s how I play tennis but that’s my problem. I don’t expect someone to go into a one-on-one situation with a big smile on their face but it’s important to be able to enjoy what you are doing. That is best for everybody.
“Football always looks only like work in difficult times. Football is always hard work but it looks easier when you are on a good run and that is enough to enjoy.”
