'Klopp's positive energy has made the difference'
Jürgen Klopp has instilled the crucial team spirit into the Liverpool squad that successful sides need to secure silverware, according to Ian Rush.
The Reds remain in the hunt for two trophies this season, holding a two-point lead over Manchester City in the Premier League having played a game more and with a Champions League semi-final against FC Barcelona to come.
Liverpool’s collective resolve has been fundamental to their ongoing bids for success – and club legend Rush credits Klopp for generating such camaraderie.
“I’ve been to training sessions and I’ve seen Liverpool players laughing and joking between things but when they’re working, they work,” the Reds’ all-time top goalscorer told Sky Sports News.
“And when they have a break, they are talking to each other, they are enjoying being with each other, they put their arms around each other and that comes from the manager.
“Every time Klopp sees you he gives you a big hug and the first thing you do is you want to give someone else a hug after! It’s that positive energy that he is putting through and that’s probably the difference with Liverpool now.”
Rush added: “When I played, I would 100 per cent say the main reason we were so successful was because of our team spirit.
“In the dressing room, we had the banter and the laughing and the joking, but when we went onto the pitch we were serious, and the success we had was down to team spirit.
“Individuals can win you a game but only a team can win the league and I can see a bit of that in Jürgen Klopp and his team now.”
City’s game in hand on Liverpool will be played on Wednesday night when Pep Guardiola’s team face Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The reigning champions must drop points in their remaining four fixtures if the Reds are to claim the Premier League trophy – but Rush insists fans have every right to be excited about the current situation.
“The title race will go down to the wire, there is no doubt about that,” he said.
“There are just a few games to go and as long as they keep winning they are one step closer, but I think they are starting to believe now that it can be done.
“People are saying all the fans are getting excited, but why not? Why shouldn’t they be excited? If they don’t get excited now, they’ll never get excited!
“The most important thing is that the players – with the help of the coaching staff and the manager – keep their feet on the ground.
“I think the team is a bit more resistant now and you can see that in the way they’ve come back from a goal down to win a game quite a few times this season. They’ve got a winning formula and there is no need to change anything.”