Jurgen Klopp was speaking during his pre-match press conference before Liverpool’s game against Leicester City and claimed that he would be making changes in the starting line-up in the coming months.
Liverpool embarked on the season with the same starting XI in their first three Premier League games and Klopp was quoted by the Mirror as saying:
“Today it is good but it is needs to stay good. August was always going to be different. Starting three times in a row with same line-up, that won’t happen too many times this season. We didn’t strengthen for August, but for all the other months.”
“The players are in a much better situation now than three weeks ago. We need a good result tomorrow and in all the other games. For that, we need all the players. I’m looking forward to it.”
Liverpool didn’t sell any of their major players in the summer window and brought in four quality signings.
Naby Keita and Alisson have started all three games so far but we might see more action from the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri and Fabinho in the coming weeks.
It is a good thing that Klopp has invested in the side as we have a brutal fixture list after the international break.
The real test begins early for the Reds
Liverpool look decent for a proper Premier League title chase this season but we will face an early test of our strength by having to play against some tough teams in less than 30 days.
This really is a brutal schedule, to be honest:
Tottenham – Away (PL: 15 September)
PSG – Anfield (CL: 18 September)
Southampton – Anfield (PL: 22 September)
Chelsea – Anfield (LC: 25 September)
Chelsea – Away (PL: 29 September)
Napoli – Away (CL: 3 October)
Manchester City – Anfield (PL: 7 October)
Liverpool were a little lucky with their Champions League group last season but things are different now. We face PSG, Napoli and Red Star Belgrade in Group C, meaning we must be at our best to qualify for the knockout round.
The Reds haven’t faced such a daunting fixture list during Jurgen Klopp’s time but the Reds do have the strength to deal with such a schedule.
Keita, Alisson, Shaqiri and Fabinho all have Champions League experience but more than that, they add quality to the side.
Liverpool have started the season with three wins on the trot but only the first one was truly convincing. West Ham were also trying to find their feet on the first day of the season. The clashes against Brighton and Crystal Palace, meanwhile, proved that we are yet to hit top gear.
Things have not been easy for the other sides who lead the Premier League table. Tottenham, Watford and Chelsea haven’t looked great in their respective matches this season.
If Liverpool are to prove their title credentials this season, we must perform well even at this early stage.
Dropping points against Spurs, City or Chelsea would give them a bit of a psychological advantage. Throw in the Champions League fixtures against PSG and Napoli, and we would have been a little worried in the past.
However, things are different for Liverpool now and there should be an air of belief in the squad. We did reach the Champions League final last season and we should be looking to go one better too.
The squad is stronger than last season and we can rest and rotate players to ensure they perform at their best.
Facing our opponents early in the season is a bit of a bonus too. Some of them are still trying to find their feet and we could take advantage of that.
Napoli and PSG are under new management while playing at Anfield against Chelsea and Manchester City will provide us with an advantage from the vociferous crowd.
Read more: “Easy 18 points”, “Napoli must be so worried” – Some Liverpool fans express joy at Champions League draw
If there ever was a time to put fear into our rivals, it is now. Liverpool have a chance of doing something special this season and it will all start when we face Spurs on 15th September.
