Champions League: Jurgen Klopp eyes strong defensive performance

Jurgen Klopp has admitted that his side need to revert to simpler methods if they’re to keep their Champions League ambitions alive.

Having drawn their opening group game at home to Sevilla, the Reds need at least a point from tonight’s encounter in Moscow against Spartak.

“It is good to have fantasy football but we need results,” said the Liverpool manager. “In the right moments we need to do the right things. It is not about being spectacular.”

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The Reds have shipped 13 goals in their last five away games and their leaky defence is a concern for their manager.

“It’s obvious we concede too many, there’s no doubt,” said Klopp. “Usually, I’m a really good defensive coach, but obviously that has worked not too well so far.”

On the plus side, Liverpool ended a run of four matches without a win on Saturday with a 3-2 victory away at Leicester. The presence in Moscow of Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane is another reason to be cheerful.

Asked if the quartet will appear together for the first time since beating Bayern Munich in a pre-season friendly, Klopp said: “All artists together? Well, perhaps.”

Liverpool’s recent away record in the Champions League won’t imbue their travelling fans with much confidence but when it was pointed out to Klopp that the Reds have won just three times on the road in their last 13 matches, he said: “Records like that are a problem when people remember them. We are not the same team, only the same name.”

Nonetheless the German recognised the importance of victory this evening against a Moscow side who also drew their opening match.

“We started with a home game against Sevilla and we didn’t win, so that’s not a positive but in the end it is still a point,” said Klopp. “But, if we don’t win any away games, then we have no chance or at the very least it will be very difficult to get into the next round.”

Klopp cut short the press conference when the questions began to verge into the absurd with one journalist asking the Liverpool boss if he was “in love” with any of his players, a reference to Mauricio Pochettino’s jokey declaration of affection for Harry Kane at the weekend.

“I am really impressed that we are in a Champions League press conference and talk about things like this,” snapped Klopp. “I don’t understand the business anymore.”

As for Pochettino, his Tottenham side also face an away encounter this evening against group minnows Apoel Nicosia.

Normally Spurs, who beat Borussia Dortmund in their opening match, would be firm favourites against the Cypriots but injuries, suspension and illness have deprived Pochettino of seven regulars, with Christian Eriksen the latest to withdraw after falling sick.

“Christian is so important for us and we’ll miss him but we need to find a way to play and perform to win,” said Pochettino, who will also be without the likes of Danny Rose, Dele Alli and Jan Vertonghen.

“I’m not a boss who cries because a player can’t play. We have a very strong squad, full of quality, and aren’t looking for excuses.”

Tonight’s Champions League fixtures (all 7.45pm kick-offs UK time)

Group E

• Sevilla vs. NK Maribor
• Spartak Moscow vs. Liverpool

Group F

• Manchester City vs. Shaktar Donetsk
• Napoli vs. Feyenoord

Group G

• Besiktas vs. RB Leipzig
• Monaco vs. FC Porto

Group H

• Apoel Nicosia vs. Tottenham Hotspur
• Borussia Dortmund vs. Real Madrid