Liverpool vs Tottenham: Jurgen Klopp calls for resilience as Reds head into the final straight

The challenge of Tottenham on Sunday reminds not only where Liverpool have been before Klopp, as well as with him, but where they are at now

“I don’t know the English word, is it resilient? Being kind of stubborn; do the right things again and again and again. Dig in and stay in. That’s it. It’s all there. The good thing is, do I have to talk about motivation with the boys? Of course not. They are all on fire.”

That was Jurgen Klopp yesterday at Melwood, outlining some of the ingredients that will need to be present in the last weeks of the season if Liverpool are to win the league for the first time in 29 years.

Only he, one of his coaching staff, James Milner and Fabinho have been through this process before, emerging on the other side with a winners’ medal.

One of Klopp’s earlier sayings seemed more salient if Liverpool are to change history: “We have to accept that we will have problems in games,” he said, touching on what happened at Fulham when it felt as though Liverpool had dropped points only to find a way to win. “It you expect not to have problems then you have real problems.”

This is the final straight for Liverpool and it encourages Klopp that for the first time this season – or, indeed, any other part of his reign – he now has almost a fully-fit squad to choose from.

“We had a big training squad yesterday there were 21 players and only two kids involved and usually we have five or six. It means they are coming back fighting for minutes on the pitch.

“It’s all there what you need but on the other hand you need to be stable and clear and not going nuts, not trying too hard, try it like we tried it all the time. When we have the ball, we try to create a chance, we try to score. When we don’t have the all then we defend with all we have. The things you did that brought you here, you have to do it again and again and again. That’s it. You cannot change now, why should we? That’s our way. Let’s continue.”

The challenge of Tottenham on Sunday reminds not only where Liverpool have been before Klopp, as well as with him, but where they are at now. It would feel like a surprise if Tottenham won at Anfield because it is a place they have only won twice since 1993. And yet, in eight of the last nine seasons Tottenham have finished above Liverpool. In modern history, the visitors have been far the more consistent club. “In a country of transfers, they didn’t do transfers and that’s a big headline,” Klopp said about Spurs. “They are a real football team. If you have the right team together you do not need to be busy in the market. I respect their way a lot.”

Since Liverpool’s 4-1 filleting at Wembley against Spurs last season, a result which placed Liverpool 12 points behind Manchester City before October was even over, Liverpool have lost just four from sixty games – winning 41 and drawing 15. That event and what has happened since justified Klopp waiting six months to sign Virgil van Dijk, who could have joined City but chose Liverpool thanks in no small part to Klopp’s persuasion. Klopp dismissed his interest in the sort of individual awards that van Dijk might win over the next six weeks, though he did think if a Liverpool player follows Mohamed Salah in being voted PFA and writers player of the year, then it “would be really big as well because it is another sign that things here are going in the right direction.”

He revealed how he convinced van Dijk that Anfield was the place where he could realise all of his vast potential, and that included trophies in spite of the lack of them over the last decade.

“I told him what we wanted to do in the next couple of years and what the plan is, who we have, who we plan to bring in and things we want to improve,” Klopp explained. “Obviously, he listened and thought it sounded exciting. I was not surprised when the decision was made but I was not sure before because I knew who else was in the race for him.

Klopp has urged his men to dig deep for the closing matches of the season (AP)

“It was a big moment for him and for us as well. It was a massive statement, that is true. In that moment, he was the most wanted centre half, maybe with [Aymeric] Laporte and [Kalidou] Koubaily as well, but in England it was for sure Virgil. When Virgil made his decision, it was a fantastic day.”

While Klopp has spent big to solve problem positions, he has kept faith with some players he inherited and those he trusts the most. Adam Lallana’s Liverpool career felt like it was was over but Klopp has played him from the start in each of the last two games and he has performed well. Mauricio Pochettino, of course, had wanted to make him a key part of his Spurs midfield three years ago but Klopp stopped the move and reassured Lallana of his value.

Klopp helped Lallana back into form through “normality.” He recognised that whatever he said on the training ground might only have a temporary effect and players like Lallana and Joe Gomez – who is also now available after a fifteen-week injury lay-off – “have to go through a lot darker days pretty much alone with their families and friends – you cannot change it.”

“A player with the ability and skills of Adam Lallana is a pure joy to watch when the fitness level is increasing and he is back on the pitch,” Klopp said enthusiastically. “It is clicking for him again. His attitude was always incredible so why should I doubt him? Only the football world outside makes a player old too early. I don't think like that. Adam is in a wonderful age group and when he is fit he is a fantastic player. That is the only thing I was waiting for. You cannot force that. You can only appreciate it when he is back and we showed that against Burnley. We had a full week to train for that game and Adam was the stand-out player in training that week, so go for it. Every player has to know that.”