Jürgen Klopp believes Liverpool have not shown their true colours since he replaced Brendan Rodgers as manager and they must banish doubts over their home form on Sunday against West Bromwich Albion.
Liverpool’s finest results and performances under Klopp have come away from home, with the notable exception of last Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Newcastle United, with defensive sides continuing to create problems at Anfield.
Despite Daniel Sturridge’s latest injury setback, the German coach says he is satisfied with the striking options at his disposal and that creative solutions will not necessarily be found in the January transfer market. He insists the gradual progression of Liverpool’s squad has ensured there is no desperate need to sign new talent next month.
“I hope we haven’t shown our real face until now because I hope there’s much more to come,” said Klopp before Albion’s visit on Sunday. “I saw a few good things in the last 13 matches. We have been quite stable and that’s very important. Even in the games we lost it was not too bad. OK, a few things were bad but what I’ve always seen, whether it’s bigger steps or smaller steps, is that we have been going in the right direction.
“We don’t have to talk about our development always. We just have to show it. We have to do better and show our quality. And we have to finish discussions about our quality from the outside.
“People ask about signing new players to help us. But football should be a good example for life in that if you work together with the right people that should be better than always trying to find better ones from outside. That’s what we have to show.”
Klopp said he does not have “1% of doubt about the quality of this squad” and will be content to work with the attacking trio of Christian Benteke, Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino in the absence of the injured Sturridge and Danny Ings. He conceded, however, that doubts over Liverpool’s home form will only be dispelled by performances the away wins at Chelsea, Manchester City and Southampton.
The Liverpool manager added: “It is close to Christmas and people are maybe concentrating on other things but when we come together on Sunday we should all be prepared for a very special moment. Maybe we can create the best atmosphere in the last 10 years.
“I am only able to prepare the team for this. If we have to play against doubts, then it is difficult. Like all things in life, you can wait for the moment or you can create the moment and hopefully we can create the moment against West Brom. I’m always close to a good atmosphere in myself. If other people can join us in this, that would be cool.”
