My way or the high way: Jurgen Klopp warns Liverpool players to get in line

Jurgen Klopp will be expected to make big moves in the January transfer window

JURGEN KLOPP has imposed his authority on day one after warning Liverpool's players his way is the only way.

 

Liverpool's new manager followed a charismatic press conference by laying down the law to his squad and warning they must faithfully adhere to his methods if they are to remain part of his vision for the club.

"The only thing I need is players that want to help the team," said Klopp. "They have to listen to what I say, that is very important because I believe it is better to have 11 players do the same thing wrong than everybody doing what they want.

"We have to do it one way and that is my way. Then we have to go through it.

 

"Now we cannot talk about football philosophy and ball possession, playing like Barcelona, playing like whoever. No, this team needs to create their own style.

"If you have the ball you have to be creative but you have to be prepared that if you lose the ball the counter pressing is very important. It is not a proposal, it is law.

"You cannot decide 'um...' You have to do it and you will. That is what we all have to learn, maybe.

 

Jurgen Klopp was unveiled at Anfield just five days after Brendan Rodgers was sacked

"In these cases you can be different to other teams because they will all do their thing."

Klopp, who jokingly referred to himself as 'The Normal One' at his Anfield unveiling to deflect a question about Jose Mourinho's Special One boast, immediately headed to Melwood to begin the task of "restarting" Liverpool.

"Of course I feel a big pressure in this moment but that is normal," he said. "I can't change the rules.

 

"For development, you need time. There are many things that you try to do, some good, some not so good.

"I know how to work with a team. It is very important that we make it all closer. We need to be closer with all of the staff, the fans. It is important they don't think, 'These are the good paid guys, we are the fans'."

Liverpool enticed Klopp into breaking a planned year-long sabbatical after just four months following the dismissal of Brendan Rodgers.

The former Borussia Dortmund coach claimed he had no interest in waiting to discover whether jobs at Bayern Munich or other Champions League sides came up in the future. 

“I’ve never seen or been talking to these clubs,” added Klopp. “I don’t think about things like this. I’ve never had a plan for my career. I react on what happens and I hear inside what I feel. 

“For me it fits perfect.”