Klopp building something special at Liverpool, says Wijnaldum

Cape Town – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits his year at Anfield has been somewhat of an emotional roller coaster, but he believes the work they are doing is starting to pay off.

“It’s a long, long time since he didn’t play”.

First loss in the Antonio Conte era. “You must be patient in every moment, every single minute, every second”.

Yet Liverpool’s performance was undoubtedly led by their skipper and his two midfield partners in crime.

Liverpool will welcome back midfielder Roberto Firmino, who missed Friday’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Chelsea. Matic duly ran into the box to assist Costa for his fifth goal in as many league games under Conte.

Adam Lallana is a great example of how the Liverpool players have been adapted their games under Klopp. Daniel Sturridge, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mané flourished in Saturday’s 4-1 defeat of Leicester, when Coutinho was among the substitutes after global exertions with Brazil.

It was not only Henderson however.

“But I heard the word risk too often so I decided no”. It’s not about how the player feels, it’s about how I feel.

How much more reassurance can a manager bring to his employers that he can be trusted with a budget than to get the players he wants and make a profit? “We are going to have to be at our best, and them nowhere near their best for us to progress – that is the reality of it and that is what cup competitions are about”, explained Pearson. I don’t want to repeat a bad season like a year ago.

The Reds may have come unstuck at Burnley earlier this season but, if the rule of thumb in terms of being considered a genuine threat is that you at least match your fellow contenders, then Klopp has made a pretty good start. It’s important, because last season was bad.

The game against Liverpool would have provided a notable opportunity to make an impression, but he is not dwelling on it.

The array of attacking options available to Klopp is reflected in his dilemma over accommodating Philippe Coutinho in the starting lineup at Stamford Bridge. We want to win this competition.

Liverpool’s League Cup journey continues with a visit to Pride Park Stadium where Derby County waits.