Boss: We know what we have to do to create chances
Liverpool's failure to score in their previous two matches is not a concern to Jürgen Klopp, who is confident his side can create the chances they need to at Old Trafford this Sunday.
The Reds were shut out in losing 1-0 to Southampton in the EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday night, three days on from drawing an FA Cup blank against Plymouth Argyle at Anfield.
Their return to Premier League duty this weekend brings a second meeting of the season with Manchester United, three months after the rivals played out a goalless draw on Merseyside.
At his pre-match press conference, Klopp was asked whether the potential availability of Philippe Coutinho and others for the game could spark the free-scoring form seen earlier in the campaign.
And the manager was keen to stress that it is the method, rather than specific individuals, which will be pivotal to Liverpool registering on the scoresheet at United.
“We could do it before without [the likes of Coutinho],” he stated.
“They are all important but it’s not about the players we miss, it’s only about being patient enough, being clear enough and speeding up in the right moment.
“If we don’t speed up, then the ball has to speed up. That’s how it is. The passing needs to be quicker, earlier and all that stuff. So, that’s the situation.
“There was only one game where we didn’t create a lot of chances – that was the last one.
“That’s how it is always in life. If something doesn’t work, you have to think about it. Was it because of [something], or did it only happen? It is a mixture.
“We know what we have to do to create more chances, but especially ahead of the United game we don’t have to think too much about dominance and all that stuff. We need to think about different things and that’s what we [have done].”
LFCTV GO: Watch Klopp discuss Sunday's clash with United
Jose Mourinho’s team have won each of their past six Premier League fixtures and are unbeaten in 11 matches, closing the gap to the top four in the process.
Discussing their improvement, Klopp acknowledged the nature of United’s form and development means they will pose a tougher challenge this time around.
“They are better,” said the boss. “They are more used to each other, I would say.
“To use only one example, but I think Henrikh Mkhitaryan is an important example, it took a little bit of time – that’s normal. Now they can use his outstanding quality.
“[They are] more confident. It’s a different side, if you want. There was no doubt about the quality of the players when they played here. But it was not that tuned, maybe. [Now], it is. So that’s a different thing.”