Jurgen Klopp is encouraged by the reaction of the Liverpool squad following his appointment, despite the Reds’ uninspiring 0-0 draw at Tottenham.
Liverpool worked hard for a valuable point in a tough away fixture, but Klopp sees plenty of potential for the team to push on in the coming months.
“I’m not sure how many games you saw like this from Adam Lallana? What do you think? I know him since he was at Southampton and knew he can do 20 to 30 per cent more,” he said in his post-match press conference.
“Philippe Coutinho? Do you not think he can play better football than that? Of course, he can. Lucas? You don’t think he can play balls on the right and left? Of course he can.
“Emre Can? Learning between running and passing. He can learn. James Milner? The complete football player. The perfect professional. A machine.”
Klopp believes the Reds must allow themselves to play with more freedom if they are to challenge for a top-four spot, and has called for the team to be “a little bit wild”.
“Everything is there, we just have to create a situation where it’s possible to do these things. There’s pressure but not the biggest pressure, these guys are running for their life.
“Of course we should play better football. Not because I say but because we can. When we have the ball the other team has to run. The most important thing is for the players to be prepared to be a little bit wild.”