‘We drew a line’: how Lijnders’ punchline helped spark Liverpool revival

Pepijn Lijnders believes the determination to move on, a midfield rebuild, and senior players assuming greater responsibility has revived Liverpool. Photograph: John Powell/Liverpool FC/Getty Images

Pepijn Lijnders has attributed Liverpool’s stirring recovery this season to their summer recruitment, fresh leadership and the threat of a punch in the face.

Liverpool’s assistant manager made the threat as a pre-season joke to the squad as he and Jürgen Klopp sought to draw a line under the disappointment of the 2022-23 campaign. Lijnders believes the determination to move on, along with the quality of Liverpool’s midfield rebuild and players such as Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold assuming greater responsibility, has re-energised Klopp and the team.