Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp serves up 'normal one' reminder ahead of Arsenal visit

By Dev Trehan

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he is not always smiling and laughing as his side prepare for the visit of Arsenal.

Jurgen Klopp insists he is "not a clown" despite his animated nature and the optimism he has in his Liverpool side.

Liverpool beat Saturday's visitors Arsenal 4-3 at the beginning of the season and topped the Premier League after a 6-1 Anfield win against Watford in November.

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But Monday's 3-1 loss at Leicester was the latest poor result for Klopp's Liverpool side, who have won just two matches out of 12 in 2017.

"Look, I am not a clown even if few people think I am," Klopp said.

Image: Klopp said he was 'the normal one' when he was unveiled as Liverpool boss in October 2015

"I am not always laughing like crazy. I am a normal person. We are all influenced by our experiences. So why should I be in the same mood as at the start of the season?

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"My job is to make the players feel we have a big chance of winning our next game and that's not done by laughing the whole weekend and ignoring the problems we have.

Image: The German was mobbed by his players when Liverpool went 4-1 up at Arsenal

"The first impression from this season [August's win over Arsenal at The Emirates] was spectacular. It was a wonderful game - some people may say that game was like the whole season in one game.

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"We were really happy we could beat a really strong side like Arsenal in their home ground. The last few games we played against them have all been kind of spectacular.

Image: Sadio Mane scored twice in Liverpool's 2-0 win over Spurs last month

The home game here last year [a 3-3 draw] was intense and spectacular - maybe the next one will be similar - but we have only to think about how we can use the experience from the last game and the Tottenham game for this game.

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"That is how our work is. We cannot ignore the problems that we have but I am 100 per cent optimistic about the Arsenal game on Saturday, but I cannot say I am in the same mood as I was at the start of the season."

Image: Georginio Wijnaldum's strike gave Liverpool 1-0 win at Man City

There have been many suggestions as to why Liverpool's form has dropped off so dramatically since New Year's Eve, when a win over Manchester City left them six points behind leaders Chelsea, with a lack of leaders one of them.

"When I was involved as a player I was a real mentality player and my strength was pushing a few team-mates, but for me it was not always possible," Klopp said.

Image: Jamie Vardy scored twice as Leicester beat Liverpool on Monday Night Football

"We have players who do it in different ways. Adam (Lallana), Milly (James Milner), Lucas Leiva are three players for sure.

"When you play bad this question always comes up but when you win no one asks 'Who pushes the team?'. That was not the reason for not performing [at Leicester]."

Image: Sturridge is out with a hip problem while Henderson has a foot injury

Club captain Jordan Henderson and England striker Daniel Sturridge missed Monday's defeat at Leicester through injury.

Klopp confirmed both players will also be absent for the visit of Arsene Wenger's side but was more positive about Dejan Lovren's chances of featuring against Arsenal this weekend.

"Dejan had full team training yesterday," he said.

Image: Dejan Lovren could return to the Liverpool squad this weekend

"We will have to see how he reacts. He will be involved in training again if nobody tells me any different and then we have to make a decision.

"He was out for four weeks and will have been training for three days."

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