Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp laughs off “soft German” jibe

After Sam Allardyce labelled him a “soft German”, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says the Sunderland manager’s comments are “not a problem”.

“But we were watching Jurgen Klopp in the first half, and he was so frustrated with Benteke’s runs, his movement, the positions he was taking up”.

Liverpool, who beat high-flying Leicester City 1-0 on Saturday with another second-half goal from Benteke, have 30 points from 19 games. They had some set-plays and one counter-attack, I think, but it was a big challenge for us.

“We are looking at three positive results to get out of the bottom three”.

“It’s better if you decide the game early and things like this, but we are not in wonderland”, Klopp said after Wednesday’s game.

The striker scored just 22 seconds after the break to condemn Sunderland to a fifth straight defeat and ensure Liverpool will finish the year seventh in the Premier League.

Klopp said: “We have to wait a little bit”.

“Knowing that this is the most hard league in Europe, that’ll be tough, but when we are at are best, we are very good”.

“That’s all I wanted to say but I had no arguments with the bench of Sunderland, absolutely not”.

“Maybe Daniel Sturridge could [return] if we try”, Klopp stated.

Recalled Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone saved twice from efforts from Roberto Firmino – one being a wonderful intervention onto the post with his fingertips – and denied Benteke a second goal in second-half stoppage time in a one-on-one chance.

Since signing for £32m in the summer, the former Aston Villa man has not been a regular starter, but has now scored six times in seven games against Sunderland, more than against any other side. “After the end, it was all right, though because we all shook hands and got on with it, which is what we have got to do”.

Martin Skrtel remains out with a hamstring problem so Klopp is unlikely to make any changes to the back-four that kept a clean sheet during last night’s 1-0 win at Sunderland.