Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he has been taking a close look at Liverpool ’s displays from last season in order to get the Reds back to top form.
The Merseysiders endured an underwhelming start to the new season before the World Cup, only winning six out of their opening 14 Premier League matches of the campaign. That leaves them in sixth place and already 15 points behind leaders Arsenal.
That disappointing form led to German schemer Klopp ruling his side out of the race for the title. Despite that, he is attempting to get Liverpool back on track by re-introducing the energy-sapping and relentless press that has made the Reds so successful under the tutelage of the former Borussia Dortmund head coach.
Ahead of Liverpool’s midseason trip to Dubai to face Lyon and AC Milan, Klopp revealed that he had been analysing videos of his side in action last term to get a better idea over where they have gone wrong since.
Speaking to the club’s official website, he said: “We prepared a lot of meetings for that camp. We were looking for top pressing situations.
“We decided in the end to go to last season, to take pictures from last season that shows something. So there is something really where we want to step up again and that’s what I want to see in these games.
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“Of course, training sessions it was brilliant so far. Really the intensity was good, focus good, level really good but, of course, we do all these kind of things to put it on the real pitch and that’s the first opportunity for us today but it’s important.”
Klopp’s research appeared to have benefited the Reds in their friendly clash with Lyon, with their initial press putting the French side under immediate pressure and Fabio Carvalho benefiting to score the opener after less than a minute. Mohamed Salah then had the opportunity to double their advantage from the penalty spot but failed to convert.
That would come back to hurt the Reds as former Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette scored twice, with Lyon youngster Bradley Barcola also getting on the scoresheet to secure a 3-1 victory for the Ligue 1 outfit. They were then successful in a penalty shootout to seal a further point for the midseason tournament.
The Reds will be back in action next Friday as they take on Serie A champions AC Milan before attention then switches to the return of domestic action. Liverpool take on Manchester City in the Carabao Cup on December 22 before tackling Aston Villa in the league on Boxing Day.
Klopp will hope that he can get the Reds back on track ahead of time and will be welcoming back a number of players from the World Cup, including England stars Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson.
