Jurgen Klopp says it will be tougher to retain the Premier League this season, but insists his Liverpool squad will give “absolutely everything” to do so. The Reds won the title in a record-quick time of just 31 games last season as they eventually finished 18 clear of Manchester City in second place. Klopp is expecting an even tougher domestic championship this coming campaign but says he and his players’ determination has not been diluted by their success.
Jurgen Klopp said “Probably every year it is harder. Was it easy last year? For sure not, It looked in moments but that was only because we were a result-machine. That is the only reason. It was hard in every game. We had to fight so hard in all the games. If you make a lot of changes to a squad then that is good – but it more good in the long term than the short term because you need to get used to each other and all that kind of stuff. It is not a big advantage, it is a little advantage, but we are used to each other. We know what we are doing in specific moments. We know we have to mix it up with a sensational attitude and a sensational desire within the game. We have to be really aggressive in our runs, in our movements all that stuff. We have to be constantly in a 100 per cent mood of always go with what you have. Last year it was difficult, the year before it was difficult for City obviously, it will be difficult for everybody this year but it is not decided yet. So let’s just give it a try. We know it will be a difficult season and not because we were champions last year, just because football improvement never stops, Everyone can improve. Chelsea look pretty ambitious in the transfer market, obviously, United will do some stuff and were already good last season, and everyone thinks City will do more, I don’t know. That’s how it is. But still you have to find a way of playing again and everybody has the same chance. It’s not about how many players anyone will sign – in the end they all have to play with 11. In the moments when you face all these different teams you have to be ready to fight and you have to be ready to win. That’s what we did in the last two-and-a-half, three years pretty much. Motivation will not be our problem. Will we lose football games? I don’t like it but probably, yes. It’s all about how you deal with the different situations. Nothing really changed. It’s all about how you feel in the moment you lose and the moment you win. I know this team will not stop trying and that is all I need. I will not stop trying but I never expect things to just happen for me. I expect that I give absolutely everything and the boys do that as well. That brings us in a position where we can be really competitive and that is the first step towards going for titles. If we can still do it then we have to prove it on the pitch, nowhere else.”
