Jurgen Klopp insists he must inspire his players to improve Liverpool's results

Jurgen Klopp insists he must rekindle confidence in players before Liverpool's results improve

JURGEN KLOPP has offered an insight into the size of the rebuilding job confronting him at Liverpool by admitting he must rekindle confidence before results will improve.

 

The new Liverpool manager insisted he has not been surprised by the challenge, adding if he wanted an easy life he would not have interrupted his sabbatical and instead stayed on holiday.

Yet his injury problems could intensify with Daniel Sturridge being sent for a scan yesterday on a knee injury that has kept him on the sidelines for the first two games of the German's tenure.

Southampton arrive at Anfield tomorrow with Klopp searching for a winning formula after the stalemate with Tottenham and Thursday's Europa League draw against Rubin Kazan, who played with 10 men for 54 minutes.

 

Liverpool's performance against the Russians betrayed a lack of quality and, coupled with a fragile psyche, anchored a display which highlighted there will be no quick fix to the on-field problems.

"It was like, 'Fuck, even when Klopp is on the side-line we don't win 8-0'. That is the situation," said Klopp. "They want and want and they are not always calm enough. That is what we have to learn.

"It is a hard job. I knew it would be. If I wanted it the easy way then I would have stayed a little longer on holiday.

 

"I know it is not easy to do the right things at Liverpool because the expectations are so big, but we all cool a bit down and everybody understands that it is hard work and it is a long way. We have to help the players bring out their best."

Christian Benteke's 27-minute cameo stated his case to start against Southampton, while Klopp is eager to involve Roberto Firmino who also came back from injury against Kazan.

Klopp's plea for patience was echoed by Saints boss Ronald Koeman, who does not believe the German has had time to make a big impact yet.

"You need time to put everything you want to put over as a new manager," said Koeman. "It's a lot of attention because it's Liverpool, it's one of the biggest teams in the Premier League."

Southampton head into the clash in good form, having climbed to eighth in the table - two places above Liverpool - with just one defeat in seven matches but may be without forward Jay Rodriguez, who has made five starts this season since returning from 16 months out with a cruciate ligament injury but is struggling with foot problems.