Tottenham vs. Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp's Key Pre-Match Press Conference Quotes

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has played down concerns expressed by striker Daniel Sturridge about playing in a wide position ahead of the team’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, a match the German confirmed Emre Can and Divock Origi are both doubtful for.

Sturridge recently revealed that he was frustrated at being asked to play on the wing, insisting “everyone knows where I enjoy playing the most,” per Stuart James of the Guardian.

However, Klopp, addressing the press on Friday ahead of his team’s trip to White Hart Lane, feels as though the player can still have an impact on the game from the flank, per Tony Barrett of JOE.co.uk:

It’s been a start to the campaign consisting of big ups and downs for Liverpool. The 4-3 win over Arsenal in Week 1 included some thrilling football, while the showing in the 2-0 loss at Burnley was the antithesis of that performance, as the Reds toiled against a side intent on limiting space.

Klopp touched upon the importance of finding consistency in the early weeks of the campaign, per James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo:

The loss at Turf Moor was certainly a major dent to momentum, especially given the cheap nature of the goals conceded by the Reds.

Burnley’s second goal, in particular, saw Liverpool players outmuscled and overwhelmed in a succession of duels, culminating in Clarets forward Andre Gray netting. Klopp has called on his players to show more steel in their play, per Daniel Taylor of the Guardian.

The upcoming fixture is a repeat of the German’s first game in charge of the Reds, which ended in a 0-0 draw last October.

Since his Premier League debut, the former Borussia Dortmund coach has overseen plenty of highs and lows at Anfield, including memorable comeback wins, victories over rivals and losses in two major finals. Klopp feels as though the team is better off for these experiences:

During the 5-0 win over Burton Albion in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, midfielder Can looked to have suffered a serious injury. However, Klopp confirmed he’s not facing a long layoff:

He did note that the Germany international and striker Origi were both touch and go for the weekend’s game, though:

The transfer deadline for the summer is edging closer, and all eyes will be on Liverpool to see if any final business is conducted. Klopp was quizzed on the future of two players who are unlikely to feature in his plans for the upcoming term, Mario Balotelli and Lazar Markovic:

As for the challenge posed by Spurs, the German is expecting a difficult game against a side that operate with a similar intensity to the Reds:

It’s a chance for Klopp’s team to show just how far they’ve come under his tutelage. Of course, the lineup on Saturday will be a lot different to the one he fielded last October, but the German’s style is a lot more entrenched in the psyche of these players.

Having suffered a disappointing defeat to Burnley in their previous Premier League outing, the manager will want to see his team show more inventiveness in possession and clearer thought processes in the final third. Otherwise, a strong Spurs side will be difficult to get the best of on their own patch.