Klopp kicks off at full throttle: New-look Liverpool will work harder and harder

Jurgen Klopp has had less than a week with his injury-ravaged squad

YOU imagine Jurgen Klopp loves his heavy metal turned up to full volume, speakers vibrating almost off the wall if his whistling is anything to go by.

 

Running the line in close proximity to the jack-in-the-box German should carry a health warning as his ear-piercing commands - straight out of 'One Man And His Dog' made it a high-decibel entrance to the Premier League for Liverpool's new boss.

But as far as entertainment is concerned this game hit more than a few bum notes and Klopp must have feared his introduction to the flagship BBC TV 'Match Of The Day' could have been as the dreaded last game.

Following the hysteria which has surrounded his appointment, you half expected the former Borussia Dortmund boss to make his White Hart Lane bow having borrowed the Popemobile.

But it was rather understated, following his players onto the pitch for the pre-match warm-up almost certainly thankful that he had left all the razzmatazz behind.

There was a little wave to the Liverpool fans already in the stadium, some of whom had arrived with German flags while one banner proclaimed 'We Believe' with a big image of the man himself - complete with megawatt smile - emblazoned all over it. Then it was to work - living every second, kicking every ball in the technical area - often turning around to share his thoughts with his entourage in the dugout whether they liked it or not.

He had taken in the scenery, smelled the atmosphere but as he explained afterwards: "We are not here to enjoy, we are here to work."

The impact, though, was immediate. The order at Liverpool's Melwood training ground in the week had been for his new charges to deliver emotional, full-throttle football. It arrived straight from the kick off and Spurs didn't know what had hit them, with Liverpool swarming like aggravated hornets.

"The start was brilliant," Klopp added. "But after that we didn't always see the right options but still had our moments. After just three or maybe four days it was okay. Now we can go and work harder."

Klopp passes on his thoughts to Sakho, one of Liverpool's better defenders on the day

To Klopp's frustration there was no sting - although Divock Origi, pushed into service through injuries to Daniel Sturridge, Danny Ings and Christian Benteke, struck the underside of the bar with a close-range header.

Klopp might be perceived as a miracle-worker but it appears he can't prevent mishaps in training, with Sturridge's comeback abruptly halted on Friday following on from Ings, who ruptured a cruciate ligament in the German's first full practice session.

Klopp admitted: "When I was coming to Liverpool I saw there were four quality strikers but now we are down to one. That is not the best situation. Hopefully it is not too serious for Daniel."

In the end a lack of a cutting edge and the fact they were facing a side who hadn't lost since the opening game of the season, with Mauricio Pochettino the latest recipient of the 'manager of the month' award, conspired to deny Klopp victory in his first Premier League game.

 

It's something he shares with the last six Kop bosses - none of them pocketing three points on their initial outing.

And if it hadn't have been for the reflexes of his often-criticised keeper Simon Mignolet, it would have been a lot worse. The best save of the lot denied substitute Clinton Njie, an early replacement for ankle ligament victim Nacer Chadli, while two vicious efforts from Harry Kane were also superbly deflected by the Belgian.

Pochettino accepts that his main striker is having a lean time - just one goal so far this season for his club. "He had two clear chances to score," the Spurs boss said. "We expect him to score every time he takes the ball. But the goals will come."

For Klopp football is his rock and roll – and he likes it.

Spurs: Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Dembele, Alli; Lamela (Townsend 87), Eriksen, Chadli (Njie 10); Kane.

Liverpool: Mignolet; Clyne, Sakho, Skrtel, Moreno; Milner, Lucas, Can; Coutinho (Ibe 87), Lallana (Allen 81); Origi.

Referee: C. Pawson.

Att: 35,926.

Man of the match: Simon Mignolet. Made some outstanding saves to ensure his new manager didn’t suffer a losing start.