With Liverpool's game against Sunderland today marking the start of a run of eight fixtures before the turn of the year, Jürgen Klopp has emphasised the important role every member of his squad will have to play this season.

As the packed festive fixture list looms into view, the Reds boss has used his matchday programme notes for the Anfield clash with the Mackems to underline just how vital squad depth is in the modern game.

Klopp wrote in 'This is Anfield': "All of us on the coaching side have said since before the first game was played that the importance of the squad and indeed the significance of every single player will be evident as we start on this next path. From my previous experiences it is never just a ‘team’ that achieves something, if you are fortunate enough to be part of a special moment. It is always the ‘squad’.

"Every player in your organisation will contribute; will add something that makes the collective stronger. I have no idea at this stage what would constitute a ‘special moment’ – that is not important in November because there are so many circumstances that can dictate that. But what I can say with absolute certainty is that, to achieve anything, we will require each and every player to be ready.

"I have no concerns about this because already, in the games we have played, we have seen that the players recognise every minute they spend on the pitch is precious. Every kick, header, shot and tackle. It all matters. This has been the attitude in training also, where the contribution the squad makes is more visible to us but less seen by the public.

"Our training has, so far, been of the highest quality. That is not about us as coaches; that is about the attitude and approach of the players. And the players who have not been starting matches as regularly as they would want to, or hope to, have trained just as hard, if not harder, than the ones who have. This is a sign of quality of character and we have this I think."

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