Liverpool are ready for “the hardest period ever” as they prepare to face Tottenham Hotspur, manager Jurgen Klopp has claimed.
Klopp’s side lead the Premier League from Manchester City but dropped their first points of the season last weekend at Manchester United.
With Spurs likely to offer similarly stiff opposition this weekend, Klopp has suggested it would be hasty to start dreaming of the title.
“We are in a better position than we would have expected at the start of the season,” Klopp told Sky Sports.
“Are we already through? No. We have created a proper basis to work with. The hardest period ever will come up again. November, December, crazy.
“We have to be lucky in some moments. We have to fight for it, and that’s what we do. No guarantees.”
Liverpool pushed Manchester City all the way last season, finishing a point behind the champions despite amassing the third highest tally in Premier League history.
But they arguably should have had more – several times late in the season they stumbled, allowing City to usurp them and take the title.
And while Klopp thinks his side’s Champions League victory in June has helped them evolve and improve mentally, he thinks there is still more development needed to make sure they do not come up short again.
“It was incredible,” Klopp said of the Champions League final win.
“But it’s a nice memory, wonderful, great, everything perfect, but it’s gone, it’s history.
“It’s a nice part of life, but nothing else changed. It was probably the best summer of my life.
“The boys started the season in a different mindset, more convinced about themselves. I feel there is still a lot of space in that department, where they can be more convinced.”
Spurs were, of course, the side beaten by Liverpool in that final.
Mauricio Pochettino‘s side are in a prolonged spell of poor form, but enjoyed a confidence-boosting cruise to victory over Red Star Belgrade in midweek Champions League action.
Klopp believes that result is more indicative of the opposition his side will face this weeekend, and that Tottenham should not be underestimated.
“I don’t understand 100 per cent what happened, but what I saw during the week is how Spurs can be,” the German said.
“That’s the team we prepare for, not the team who struggled three or four weeks ago.
“We need to be intense, because a little bit against Tottenham will not be enough. They want to strike back!”
