Jurgen Klopp says Tottenham obviously haven’t forgotten how to play football, ahead of Liverpool hosting the north Londoners on Sunday.
Spurs are struggling for form heading into the Anfield clash, with only two wins in their past eight matches.
They did secure a Champions League victory on Tuesday, thrashing Red Star Belgrade 5-0, but whether that was a one-off or Spurs getting back to their best remains to be seen.
Few have been able to offer explanations for Tottenham’s remarkable struggles, and Klopp admits even he cannot see what is happening at White Hart Lane to cause such problems.
“Spurs‘ situation, I cannot judge,” said Klopp in his pre-match press conference. “I have no idea. Football is like this.
“They have not forgot how to play football, Harry Kane, [Heung-min] Son, [Dele] Alli, [Christian] Eriksen, you cannot understand it from outside but they can play a proper performance.
“It’s a football game between two really good teams. We will not be that confident that nothing can happen to us.
“They will not play like a team with their points tally. They are a top side and we have to respect that.”
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Klopp also discussed other topics during his press conference, and you can read the best bits below…
On Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s brilliant goal vs Genk
“I didn’t see a goal like his second maybe ever. It was special.”
On Dejan Lovren’s comments about changing Liverpool
“I have no clue what I changed when I came in. Making the place you work the best place is an important part of success.
“I didn’t tell the boys they have to say hello and goodbye but I asked them if they knew everyone working here. They now know them all, 80 people.”
On Fabinho
“It was clear [the midfield] wouldn’t be perfectly tuned, they have hardly played. Fab had a lot to do but the job of the 6 in football is so important. He is not just a gap-closer, he is a great footballer.
“We can protect him more but he only flies in international breaks, he doesn’t play! I don’t want to create headlines in Brazil. So no comment.
“Two others play both games like Gini [Wijnaldum] and Hendo [Henderson]. But we have others to play Fab’s position.”
On injuries and team news
“We just rested [Joel Matip]. He is fine and Trent [Alexander-Arnold] is fine, we have to see. I haven’t seen him yet. There is no setback, but he was ill enough to not travel.
“That was not a good sign. He should be fine but I don’t know 100 percent.
“I saw Shaq [Shaqiri] today, he is OK but he is not ready yet.”
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