Klopp pays tribute to Liverpool’s ‘identity’ and tackles the Brewster future
Jurgen Klopp wants another goal kick from Liverpool this season as questions continue to surround the Anfield future of young striker Rhian Brewster.
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When he won the Premier League title last season, Liverpool rattled in 85 goals across 38 games, beaten only by second-placed Manchester City.
The top three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have fresh competition after Diogo Jota arrived from Wolves and Klopp would very much like to see Liverpool prove to be as strong as ever this term.
Whether Brewster had a role to play is to be seen as Klopp left the 20-year-old out of his squad for Thursday’s EFL victory in Lincoln City, where a host of fringe and young players got a chance to impress.
England U21 striker Brewster has recently been linked with Crystal Palace and Sheffield United after impressing last season while on loan at Swansea City.
“Look, that should not surprise you. Transfers, this kind of thing we are not talking about,” Klopp said on Friday when asked about Brewster’s status.
“He was not in the team [at Lincoln]. You can do whatever you want. Nothing really to say. No news. “
With or without Brewster, Liverpool’s attacking power looks strong in depth, but Klopp says their goal-scoring success and fluent football only comes through hard work from his entire team and speaks proudly of a common “identity”.
“I do not think we were unplayable last year, it did not feel that way,” said Klopp. “I do not know if we can be better than last year. We are always trying to do the right thing at the right moment.
“We are offensive-minded, but without a very good defensive structure you have absolutely no chance. We try to do our absolute best in every game, and that’s something I loved in both games so far and something I especially loved. [at Lincoln].
“if the team last night would have worn another jersey, I would still have known it was us, and I like that. This kind of identity, we really want to make sure everyone can see it.”
Klopp’s team is unbeaten in their last 60 Premier League matches at Anfield, with Arsenal being the next team to put the record to the test when they visit on Monday.
The Reds manager says he is “absolutely not interested” in the statistics.
“The only moment I think of this number is when someone asks me about it,” he said. “We did what we did; we tried to win football matches under different circumstances: at night, at lunchtime, with supporters without supporters.
“It’s our home, we’re fine there, but there’s no secret recipe. We do not expect to lose, but we do not expect to win either.”