Jürgen Klopp has no plans to leave Liverpool despite their Premier League struggles. The German is in his eighth year at Anfield, his longest spell as a manager after seven at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund, but says he feels energised and confident of turning things around.
Liverpool have collected one point from their past four league games, leaving Klopp in need of victory when an Everton revitalised under Sean Dyche visit on Monday night.
“I have too much responsibility and I want it and I want to sort it again,” Klopp said. “I am 100% committed. If we win I feel like I was part of it but if we lose I feel 100% responsible. I was always like this in my life, so you can imagine how big the responsibility at the moment is and how I feel now and we will do absolutely everything to get through this and prepare the very positive future again.”
The 3-0 defeat at relegation-threatened Wolves in Liverpool’s last game was arguably the nadir in terms of result and performance, causing a silent drive back to Merseyside on the team coach. Klopp spoke to the squad on Sunday about the loss and team’s struggles before allowing them two days off, which he says benefited him and the players.
Asked what he told the players, Klopp said: “I hope it was the right things. It’s not the first time in my life I’ve had a situation so that might be helpful – again – and I think in situations like this you have to be 100% clear, not hiding behind anything; critical, but respectful as well, because I know that it is always like this, that people who are not really involved have to write and have the possibility to go for them. All of a sudden they can be angry with us: ‘How can he do that?!’ and stuff like this.”
There is greater scrutiny of Klopp and his backroom staff than when the club were battling for top spot but the manager insists he should be the only one to face criticism.
“They [the staff] are here because they are best in class in what they are doing – that’s all,” Klopp said. He told journalists: “If you praise them in the good times then criticise them in the bad times. If you don’t praise them in the good times then don’t in the lesser good times. Don’t do that – have the balls and go for me, then the confrontation can happen, of course.”
