Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp tells it is not a time to have self-pity and points to Marcus Rashford

Speaking to the media ahead of the next game, as quoted by the Guardian, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has told his players to not have self-pity and referred to the form shown by Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford.

The German was asked about the lack of form many of his players have shown throughout this campaign. He accepted that this is the case but tells his players to not feel sorry for themselves, rather it is time to fight through a low moment.

This low form has seen one of the best sporting collapses from a team. After being on the verge of winning a quadruple seven months ago, Liverpool are now sat ninth in the league table, out of both the domestic cup competitions and have a very little chance of winning the Champions League.

Here’s what Klopp said about the lack of form and confidence and why he pointed to Rashford (h/t Guardian):

“We can all see that some players didn’t exactly reach the level they reached for us consistently over five or six years.

“That’s not unusual – it happens to other players as well. One of the best examples ever probably will be Marcus Rashford. The season he had last year and the season he has this year, I’m not sure he can really explain it.”

“Erik ten Hag coming in, new boys, a different approach, of course it makes a difference, but it’s not as though Marcus didn’t want to deliver last year. Now he is flying. That’s how it goes.

“The times in between these two extremes we have to use and fight through it. Self-pity is not allowed in these moments.”

It is a bizarre comparison because Rashford is 25 and is now entering the peak stage of his career. Injuries and development as a young player meant he was inconsistent in the past few seasons. He had a difficult time last year because he was playing in a team that couldn’t even kick a ball in anger.

On the other hand, most of our players have delivered us success in the last few years. They are ageing together now (most of our midfielders are aged 28 and above) and feeling the pace required to sustain the performance levels in a Klopp system.

So, as much as the analogy is good, the reference is not. Players who are entering a different phase of their careers cannot see a 25-year-old flying and tell himself – ‘ah, that is exactly what I have to do.’ That too after doing it relentlessly for the last four four-five years.

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• Complications for Chelsea as Mason Mount faces dilemma amid Liverpool interest
• Danny Murphy urges Liverpool to sign Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice

Anyway, it feels like the whole club has beaten around the bush a lot this season. The lack of form and confidence has not been addressed in the last six months, added to the fact that the owners do not care enough to back the manager with enough funding to buy players and refresh the squad a bit (especially in midfield).