Jurgen Klopp stated that it is his responsibility as Liverpool manager to endure a shaky start to the season, as he dismissed rumors that his team is declining.
The Reds have won only four of their first 12 Premier League games, falling 15 points behind leaders Arsenal and eight points below the top four.
Liverpool’s suffering has been worsened by consecutive defeats to Premier League strugglers Nottingham Forest and Leeds United.
Klopp and the Liverpool leadership have been criticized for not doing more to revitalize a squad that nearly won an unprecedented quadruple of trophies last year.
The German, however, argues that it is unfair to judge the players and his own position until the end of the season due to a string of injuries.
Klopp stated prior to Napoli’s Champions League visit to Anfield on Tuesday, “I believe the verdict will be rendered later in the season or at the end of the season when we say ‘this is it for this collection of players or this manager.’”
“At the moment, it is not entirely fair to evaluate the squad because not everyone has been available, especially up front where we lack elite talent, which is not beneficial.”
Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota are now absent for Liverpool, while Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip, Thiago Alcántara, and Darwin Nunez have all missed time throughout the first few months of the season.
Klopp is credited with transforming Liverpool’s fortunes over his seven-year tenure as manager.
He has guided the club to three Champions League finals, and in 2020 he led Liverpool to its first league championship in 30 years.
Klopp insisted he is still up to the challenge of resurrecting Liverpool’s past grandeur, adding, “It won’t be easy, but we won’t give up.”
“When people look at me, they say ‘he seems exhausted’ or something similar, but I’m not.
“I cannot use that justification. My duty does not consist solely of being present when the sun is shining and someone hands us a trophy.
“It is my responsibility to be there while we are going through a difficult time, and I will do so with everything I have.”
Liverpool is already assured of a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals.
To dethrone Napoli from the top spot in Group A, though, they will have to hand the Italians their first loss of the season and win by four goals.
“The most significant aspect of the Champions League is qualifying for the knockout round. That’s exactly what we did,” stated Klopp.
“This is a football game that is being broadcast worldwide. We will have a full house at Anfield, which requires us to put in a solid shift, which we will do.”