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Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp makes big admission ahead of Arsenal game
JURGEN KLOPP has revealed the atmosphere at Liverpool ‘felt a little bit like depression’ when he took charge of the club.
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Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers as manager in October 2015 and guided the Reds to an eighth-placed finish in his maiden season.
Back-to-back fourth-placed finishes followed for the Merseysiders, as well as Carabao Cup, Europa League and Champions League final appearances.
Klopp has completely transformed Liverpool’s style of play during his tenure, turning the team into a high-pressing side who are lethal on the counterattack.
And according to the German, his style of football was very much needed to boost morale at Anfield.
“Of course, we had to develop. That's what we do since I came in," Klopp told ESPN. "First, because it felt a little bit like a depression here. I think it made sense to be extremely lively. Yes, to make mistakes, but be very lively, very direct, very energetic.
"It was not perfectly organised. In a few parts we were pretty quick with organisation, but it was only the offensive pressing pretty much. All the other departments we were a bit random, I would say.
"That, of course, improved a lot, so we are now working together with big parts of the squad for more than three years, which is brilliant.
“And all the other players which we picked, they adapted pretty well because of different reasons. One is only quality and the other thing is that they have played similar styles of football in the club they were in before.
It felt a little bit like a depression here
"It was clear, we have to become more stable. That's what we try to do. It was a big thing in the summer obviously and the boys did the job so far. That's why we could get the results we could get."
Klopp partly attributes Liverpool’s renaissance to the relationship he has with his players, who he regularly embraces.
"It's unbelievably important," he added. "But everybody has the opportunity to do that. That's one of the reasons why I love the game so much.
"It's so important to really stick together, to come close. It's like a family, it's more about each other. At the beginning we had a few problems, but you know he's always on your side, he always wants to help you and stuff like that. Then you come closer and closer as a group.
"But if we have a training session and the boys are not spot on, I'm probably the loudest person in the world. It's a waste of time.
"As long as we don't waste time, we have no problem with a good atmosphere around the sessions, I have no problem with the good atmosphere in the sessions.
"But I expect 100 per cent concentration because we train an hour and a half or whatever a day. These 90 minutes, let's cut off all other things and try to use the information we give as good as possible.
"The general relationship we have is full of trust and faith - that's true, from both sides. I trust the boys 100 per cent and I hope they do the same.
"Between the games, it's not that I'm always there and we constantly hug each other or whatever. That's not like this. It's always because of the game and because of the work and nothing personal.
"It's both - friend and drill sergeant."
Liverpool return to action this evening, welcoming fifth-placed Arsenal to Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s men go into the match top of the Premier League table and on the back of a 4-0 demolition job of Newcastle.