Jürgen Klopp met with the media to discuss Liverpool's September 2nd matchup with Aston Villa. The boss discussed a variety of topics including the moves the club made in the transfer window, Aston Villa's attacking prowess, and the evolution of Liverpool's midfield since last season.
The Reds have been busy during the transfer window landing several players including Dutch midfielder Ryan Gravenberch. Overall, Klopp seems pleased with the acquisitions.
“The players we brought in are really good, will help the team, will even get better. And I think especially for Macca and Dom, everybody could see that already. For Endo, it's a massive step, a massive change in the way he used to play and the way we play, so that obviously needs a bit of time to get there but it's no problem. And so, I really like the team. When I look at it before we start the game and you look at the line-up and, yes, the options on the bench were in the last weeks now a bit young but even that is great. I think everybody loves it when Ben Doak is coming on and when he's having his minutes in all these kind of games. Stefan is back in full training. So yes, we got younger, but we had to. We are less experienced but that's normal. But we are full of desire. I love this team.”
It's early in the season, but Klopp is placing extra importance on this game, particularly since both clubs have gotten off to fast starts.
“ Aston Villa is a machine, Klopp said. “It's a massive game, no doubt about it. Yeah, we have to play a top game to get something out of it and we need Anfield as well, so that's what we have to make sure. I know that it always depends on the way we play a little bit at least and we have to do our own part, but I know the people are ready to do their part, especially after last weekend. After that it is the international break, so we could make a good start [and] turn it into a really good start to the season result-wise. But there are a massive 115 minutes in between now and then.”
Liverpool's midfield looks vastly different than it did just a year ago and it is totally unrecognizable if you go back even further than that. But Klopp feels that the team has made necessary changes and he is excited to see what the future holds for the group.
“But we had to replace and to change the most successful midfield in the young history of this club. Fabinho, Henderson, Milner, Gini Wijnaldum now a few years ago, all had big, big parts in that team. Yeah, Naby and Oxlade, all played big parts in that midfield. In our best periods, I remember here you asked me the question if we are enough of a goal threat from this midfield when we scored all the goals from the front line. I think we have much more goal threat in midfield now, that's definitely the case. I think it's clear the players we brought in have real quality, are young and in a super way really excited about the opportunity of being here. So, that's a cool mix.”
The boss seems happy with the moves Liverpool have made during the transfer window and just in time for a big matchup with Aston Villa. Klopp obviously respects how the Villians play on the pitch and it will be interesting to see how the new-look midfield continues to gel throughout the season
