Jurgen Klopp took his first training session as Liverpool manager on
Monday afternoon as he was finally able to commence his integration
of a "recognisable brand" of football.
The 48-year-old, who has been tasked with defining the club’s style
of play, led his group of players for the first time at Melwood. The
session was scheduled for between 60-75 minutes, but it was under
difficult conditions, with the squad depleted by injuries and
international call-ups.
Along with his assistant Peter Krawietz and development coach
Pepijn Lijnders, Klopp ran the rule over Philippe Coutinho, James
Milner, Daniel Sturridge, Mamadou Sakho, Lucas, Alberto Moreno,
Kolo Toure, Dejan Lovren and Joao Teixeira. Three young goalkeepers
were also put to the test.
Klopp gathered those present in a huddle prior to the workout, and
delivered a passionate message in just under five minutes. As he
explained in his opening interview: “First of all I want to talk to
them about football. It’s emotion inside, it’s speed. It’s a transition
game."
The German had to do without his other assistant, Zeljko Buvac,
who has yet to arrive on Merseyside. Also unavailable were captain
Jordan Henderson and two of the club’s biggest-ever purchases in
Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino, who have all been sidelined
with injuries of varying seriousness.
Adam Lallana, Danny Ings and Nathaniel Clyne are still away with
England, while Joe Gomez and Jordon Ibe are reporting for the
country’s Under-21s. Simon Mignolet and Divock Origi are
representing Belgium, Joe Allen is with Wales, Emre Can will be
returning from his outing with Germany, and Martin Skrtel is
readying for Slovakia’s clash in Luxembourg.
Klopp will use these early days at Melwood to “listen, see, feel - and
then think about what to change.” He has already undertaken some
sessions of his own at the complex in West Derby.
The German has
been studying videos of Liverpool’s performances this season since
Friday, and spent Saturday morning at the Academy watching the
U18s' victory over Stoke.
He has encouraged the club’s starlets by revealing his enthusiasm
over their promise. “We all know the best players of today,” he told
Bild. “Tomorrow we don't know who it will be, so we can work on
this. When I manage a club, each young player should smile because
the chance is bigger for them than it ever was."
Klopp’s ability to turn potential into end product as well as his
experience of making a non-stellar squad more than the sum of its
parts explains why Fenway Sports Group tried to lure him to Anfield
on two previous occasions before finally landing his signature.
Klopp has a tough start to his Liverpool tenure though, with the
club’s next three Premier League away trips taking him to
Tottenham before daunting visits to Chelsea and Manchester City.
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