Reds in search of consistency

LONDON: Juergen Klopp returns to the scene of his first game as Liverpool manager at Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday, still searching for an effective

Published on: Aug 27, 2016, 08:27:04 IST

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LONDON: Juergen Klopp returns to the scene of his first game as Liverpool manager at Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday, still searching for an effective winning formula.

Liverpool won 4-3 at Arsenal in their opening league game, but lost 2-0 at promoted Burnley last weekend before bouncing back to beat second-tier Burton Albion 5-0 in the League Cup.

Spurs drew at Everton before edging Crystal Palace last weekend and Klopp believes the two teams have evolved in similar ways since the 0-0 draw on his last trip to White Hart Lane last October.

“Both teams have consistency in the squad. There are of course new players, but not too many changes,” said the German, whose side lost at Burnley despite having over 80 per cent of possession.

“It will be exciting what will happen there. They are still strong, of course. They’ve brought a few very good players in with the basis of their former squad.

“For us, everything could have been better, but it could have been worse. We’re still on the way. My team gave me a lot of really good signs to work with.”

Klopp’s line-up is unlikely to be radically different from the team he selected at Spurs on his Liverpool bow, with Martin Skrtel the only starting player to have left the club in the 10 months since.

If Emre Can and Divock Origi can overcome fitness concerns, Klopp could feasibly start with seven of the players who took to the field in his first match.

Should Origi miss out through cramp, it could be good news for Daniel Sturridge, who complained about being played on the right flank at Burton, where he scored two late goals.

Klopp did his best to douse any controversy on Thursday, asserting that he did not want Sturridge taking up a “fixed position” on the flank and saying that there was “absolutely no problem”.

Can is doubtful due to an ankle complaint, but Sadio Mane is fit after missing the trip to Burnley with a shoulder problem.

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