Klopp still has final ambitions; defends Liverpool tactics change

Jurgen Klopp: Taking strong squad Down Under

Jurgen Klopp has vowed Liverpool can still make the EFL Cup final and they will run out “a different team” in their semi-final second-leg against Southampton at Anfield.

Liverpool lost out 1-0 to Saints at St Mary’s in Wednesday night’s semi-final first leg, with Nathan Redmond coolly striking the winner. You can read our Talking Points from the game here.

Redmond missed a host of chances that could have buried the Reds, however, leaving Klopp insisting his side can produce a dramatic rescue act in the return leg on January 25.

“We will strike back, we will be a different team, different side – everything will be different at Anfield,” he said.

“So for us it’s still possible to go to Wembley and that’s the target. That’s the only comfort to take.

“Losing 1-0 is the third-best result you can get.

“I don’t like it too much, but it’s still possible.

“The performance doesn’t feel too good, that’s how it is. But for the final everything is open.

“At this moment there’s two disappointed managers after the game, one because he lost, the other because he won 1-0 and has to go to Anfield, and that’s how it is.”

Daniel Sturridge appeared nonplussed by a change of tactics in the second half, with other Liverpool players also bemused by Klopp’s switch.

The former Borussia Dortmund manager revealed he had altered Liverpool’s tactics to 3-5-2 and admitted failing to get the message across to his players quickly enough.

Liverpool now take on Manchester United at Old Trafford in Sunday’s Premier League encounter, with Klopp demanding an immediate upswing in performance from his side.

“It was just a new system, however you want to call it, 3-5-2,” said Klopp.

“Two wingers, two strikers, that’s all.

“No more information, but it was enough.

“I think we were a little bit too late when we gave him the paper when the game was already running on. That was our mistake. Things like this happen.”