Jurgen Klopp believes opinions about Liverpool‘s strong start to the season are being blurred because of the high standards being set by leaders Manchester City.
The Liverpool manager said his team is almost being forced to apologise after victories because they have not won “in a City way”.
The Reds remain unbeaten in the Premier League and just two points behind Pep Guardiola’s team as they prepare to welcome Fulham to Anfield at midday on Sunday.
With City entertaining United in a Manchester derby later the same day, there is the possibility that Klopp’s team will end the weekend at the top of the table.
But the Reds manager is aware that even if that is the reality it is not how it feels to the average fan.
The midweek defeat to Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League even brought talk of a “mini crisis” from some supporters for all Liverpool’s qualification hopes remain firmly in their own hands.
“Everybody is searching for it. All the different expectations are on the boys. We were in the Champions League final last year, and for the first 25 minutes we were the better team in the final. Doesn’t help a lot, but that’s the last impression people have,” said Klopp.
“We have to start again, and the other teams don’t get worse.
“Champions League final, new signings settling in, it sounds like you automatically win the Champions League or the league. But the other teams don’t sleep.
“We have to see it in the right way, be positive and not the other way round. It’s like we win a game and we have to say sorry for not winning it in a City way or whatever. I get that, we have space for improvement, but there is no reason for any negative view.”
Klopp held a training ground debrief with his players after the “massive knock” of defeat in Belgrade but believes two factors are leading to the perception of greater problems than the table suggests.
“The season so far, point-wise, is really successful but it doesn’t feel like that for two reasons. The comparison with last year and the free-flowing football, and Man City, Chelsea and the others who are playing a very good season as well.
“You see this week, we struggle in Belgrade and they win 6-0. It’s a big gap. It feels a bit like that this season can only be a success if we become champions, in a year when our competitors are the champion of last year and the champion of two years ago. And a refreshed Arsenal and a more experienced Tottenham, and Man United turning around. That’s a really tough job.
“We go for everything. No problem with that, but we have to build on our situation to get better, more confidence. Tuesday was our massive knock, and now we have to react in the right way, not only on Sunday but in general.”
Klopp is expected to make changes for the visit of bottom-placed Fulham with Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita both vying for a place in a midfield which has been come in for significant criticism.
Serbian manager Slavisa Jokanovic could be drinking in the last chance saloon for the visitors with the upcoming international break potentially offering an opportunity for change if the Fulham hierarchy so desire.
Despite shipping a league high 29 goals – a joint Premier League record after 11 games – Klopp insists that Fulham represents a significant challenge for all his players will want to show a reaction from midweek.
“They are a really skilled team offensively, tuned and doing a lot of things, then the end product, the finishing, was not good enough often enough.
“You cannot go into the game with the wrong attitude and think about scoring, scoring, scoring. Big challenge for us, and we have to make sure that we really don’t forget what kind of situation we are in.
“Atmosphere-wise, another challenge. 12 o’clock, so for all the people coming to the stadium, go to bed early on Saturday night, be in your best shape at lunchtime on Sunday and help! If somebody goes there and expects an easy game then please stay at home, because it will not be, it will be a tough thing to do.
“Yes, we want to show a reaction, that makes sense, but the right reaction.”
Liverpool though have become much more adept at securing victories against those seen as the league minnows, winning all six games against those in the bottom half of the table while beating only Tottenham and Leicester among the top 10.
