Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has backed his players after their 3-1 loss to Olympique Lyonnais in the Dubai Super Cup on Sunday after the club’s non-World Cup stars ramp up their preparations for the return of the Premier League.
The league strugglers who currently occupy sixth spot in the English top-flight got their mid-season friendly campaign underway with a defeat in the Middle East.
Former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette and Bradley Barcola both got on the scoresheet to cancel out Fabio Carvalho’s opener as Liverpool players played their first competitive minutes since returning from their World Cup break.
Klopp explained his feelings post-match as he highlighted positives in his side’s performance and called on his players to be ready for the return of the Premier League: ‘That’s the plan… we want to chase; we want to be really ready immediately,’ the German told the club’s official website.
‘That’s why we have to use the time now, we have to train [and] really give the boys proper intensity in training and again, that’s why I was really happy with big parts of the first half.
‘Knowing… seeing if this is the right direction, 100 per cent. It was not always the case in the summer preparation, but we played the game [and] I saw a lot of the things I wanted to see.
‘So, I’m positive, but of course we play tough, tough teams,’ added Klopp.
Egypt and Anfield star Mohammed Salah was one of the biggest names to feature in the match but failed to wow those in attendance as he missed a penalty that would have doubled his side’s lead.
Liverpool’s participation in the Dubai tournament see’s them joined by Premier League leaders Arsenal and AC Milan alongside Lyon. The Reds will play the Italian Serie A champions on Friday before returning to England where they face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup on December 22.
Klopp revealed that Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez will join up with teammates in Dubai on Monday but warned that the club’s other World Cup participants will be given extra time off before returning.
Liverpool supporters however will be pleased to have seen central defender Joel Matip make his return from injury against the French opposition on Sunday.
Klopp highlighted how the defender was given 45 minutes during the defeat but insisted Matip will be given more game-time in the club’s next match against Milan.