Klopp warns title rivals that Liverpool are still in “pre-season mode”

Jurgen Klopp has fired a warning to fellow Premier League title contenders this season that his side are set to drastically improve on their opening performances, despite currently sitting top of the league with four wins from four.

Liverpool have twelve points after winning their opening three matches, a feat that the Merseyside team have never before achieved in the Premier League era. Chelsea and Watford are the only other sides who also remain unbeaten.

Klopp, however, claims that his team are still in “pre-season” mode and are only going to improve after the international break.

“The players are not at their top level yet. That is because we are in the early part of the season. It is normal,” said Klopp, as quoted in the Mirror.

“Everybody should know we have a lot of work to do still, but if they don’t then I have told them.

“When you win four times it sounds really crazy to say this, but it is still part of the pre-season for a very long time after the summer.

“From mid-September, we play every three days. So we do the work now, and this is how it is – it is normal that you are not quite at 100% in the games.”

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 07: Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool celebrates his goal with team mates during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Torino at Anfield on August 7, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Georginio Wijnaldum

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Liverpool’s winning run has been particularly impressive because the team has yet to get out of first gear. Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have all scored in the opening fixtures, but only Mane has looked to be at the level expected of the three so far.

Klopp highlighted the World Cup as a factor in his attackers’ relatively slow start to the league campaign.

“It is completely normal,” Klopp said. “They will be, but they are not there at the level of last season yet.”

Dutch midfielder Gini Wijnaldum, who was able to train much earlier than other key players in the squad due to his national team’s absence at the World Cup, reiterated his manager’s claims:

“It does still feel like we’re doing pre-season,” said Wijnaldum.

“We know that the training sessions are hard and really competitive. But I think that makes us better, not only as a team, but as players because you have to compete against your team, good players.”

Liverpool return to league action against Tottenham Hotspur on September 15.

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Source: anfieldhq.com