JURGEN KLOPP has blamed the English wind for disrupting his style of football at Liverpool.
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| Klopp has chalked up some of his tactical problems to the weather this winter |
Klopp's first 16 games in charge at Anfield have featured big wins against Manchester City and Chelsea, but a recent slump has seen the Reds win only one of their last five matches.
And despite a 1-0 win over high-flying Leicester on Boxing Day, the German manager believes he knows why he is struggling to implement his philosophy.
"The wind can be quite extreme in England," Klopp told German newspaper Bild.
"We are not familiar with that in Germany and you have to keep things simple.
"Stoke City's first goal against Manchester United was a perfect example of the extreme winds.
"Players who are not from the UK have to get used to the winds.
"I have to adapt my style of football as a result as well.
"Often, you are forced to keep things simple. And there are a lot more duels for the second ball here, and more duels in general.
"That makes the game even more intense."
Intensity has been a problem for Liverpool in their recent defeats at Newcastle and Watford, when they conceded five goals and managed none of their own.
But Klopp, famous for his high-energy pressing game, does not believe he has been blindsided by the pace of football in England.
"The English game is not faster than the German game," Klopp added
"Perhaps there are a few more sprints.
"But there is a different style of football here, partially due to the weather."
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