Jürgen Klopp addressed the media ahead of his club's Champions League match with Ajax. In the lengthy press conference, the boss discussed Liverpool's struggles, looked back on the 4-1 loss to Napoli, and reflected on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, in addition to discussing the upcoming match.
Klopp was brutally honest when discussing the Napoli match.
“I watched the game back plenty of times and it was a real horror show, to be honest,” Klopp said. “We showed the boys the situation, as well. They knew, but then seeing it again makes it really obvious. That was the worst game we played since I am here and we had a few bad games.”
Even though Liverpool has struggled at times this season, Klopp says the Reds have to play well to turn things around in group play of the Champions League.
“It's a home game in the Champions League,” Klopp said. “It's not that we give the points away before we start. But we have to make sure we play completely different to what we did at Napoli.”
Klopp also knows that when 6-0 Ajax and Liverpool meet on the pitch, it will be a story of two clubs that have had polar opposite seasons so far.
“Ajax are actually, I would say, pretty much in the opposite situation, completely different (than we are),” Klopp said. “(They have) won all their games so far this season. They have had a rebuild, a really massive rebuild, but doing this is no surprise. They have done a really good job.”
Klopp also addressed the tributes that will take place Tuesday at Anfield in honour of Queen Elizabeth II after her recent passing.
“I'm 55 years old and she's the only Queen of England I ever knew,” Klopp said. “I don't know her but the things you can see now, she was a really warm, nice, beloved lady and that's all I need to know. It's obviously not about what I think, it's about what people think who are much closer to her or felt much closer to her. I respect their grief a lot and that's why I will show my respect tomorrow night with a minute of silence if it goes through.”
Klopp basically told the media what they and supporters saw with their own eyes in the Napoli match: Liverpool played horribly. It's refreshing to see a coach so open and honest about the team's performance. Also, the first step in improving is knowing what needs to be fixed and it seems as if Liverpool have identified what their issues are. Whether that translates to a win on the pitch remains to be seen.
