Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool can’t be picky on what games they pick up points in as he urged his side to go for it against Tottenham.
The Reds are 10 points behind Spurs - albeit with a game in hand - heading into Sunday's clash in north London. Liverpool have lost four Premier League games already this season - including their last two against Nottingham Forest and Leeds - and another defeat would be a huge blow to their top-four chances this season.
The Kop boss said: “It's a big game for us, a massive game for us – difficult as well, Spurs away. I didn't count the points distance between us and them, but we cannot be picky with opponents and games where we want to get points.
“We have to go for it, definitely, but it's difficult. We all know Tottenham is a side that is well organised defending an extremely high level and counter-attacking is a massive thing, the last couple of games they have had to chase it and you saw their offensive power as well.
“Spurs is in a good moment, turned their last two games around in the last minute and the last one was an extremely big one so they are confident and strong.”
Klopp will need his side at their best and that will mean Fabinho stepping up his performance. The Brazilian midfielder has been underpar this season and his form has made the Reds easier to play against.
But Klopp believes Fabinho showed signs in their 2-0 win over Napoli in midweek that he is back. Klopp added: “The game was a clear sign of Fabinho how we know him, it was a good game, we defend in all positions on a different level to the week before. It felt good, very important for him and a good step in the right direction.”
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Klopp is not a subscriber to the suggestion his team perform better against the better sides. Even though they have beaten City and Napoli, they have lost to league leaders Arsenal and Manchester United, having also dropped points against Fulham, Brighton, Everton and Crystal Palace.
"We didn't only do that (perform against top sides). Bournemouth, we won 9-0 and against Rangers (7-1)." said Klopp. "Our problem, why we changed system, one is the availability of players and the other is we were not as solid defensively.
"You can always point a finger at the things you don't do well or you give a completely new text book and that is what we tried.
"Our problem in these moments was defending as a unit. We defended Napoli extremely well, we closed the right gaps, chasing from the pack, our counter-press was good, high last line so we could be high up in midfield. We defended in a system better than five or six weeks ago and, if we defend, we have to attack as well."
