Klopp makes honest admission about Liverpool’s recent form amid injury jinx

Jurgen Klopp still expected his Liverpool side to grind out wins even when they've been below their best and hit by injuries.

The Kop boss is preparing his side to face Leicester today looking to get back to winning ways after two defeats on the trot against Brighton and Manchester City.

The Reds have also recently lost at home to Burnley to leave the defending out of the Premier League title race as they trail leaders City by 10 points.

It means Saturday's lunchtime kick-off with the Foxes could be a crucial win in a bid to secure a top four spot and Champions League qualification.

But Klopp – ahead of his 300th game in charge of the Reds – admitted he thought they could have managed through their tough period by picking up more wins than two in their last nine league games.

He said: “Even when I know the reason that we are not flying, I expect us to win more football games than we did. That's what I am concerned about. That's it.

"We know we are not completely clueless when we talk about football. But we know that we have to be successful in the future. That's what we try.”

Liverpool's 4-1 defeat at home to City last weekend saw Kop keeper Alisson gift Pep Guardiola's side two goals.

But Klopp insists the Brazilian shot stopper will bounce back.

He said: “Of course we had a little talk, if it's about encouragement I don't know.

“He was not happy it happened but it is very important to realise in a moment like this goalkeepers in a long career make mistakes.

“For a goalkeeper of the quality of Alisson Becker it is pretty rare he makes this kind of mistake and then he makes two of them on one game.

“Goalkeepers are used to making mistakes: they concede a goal and they know earlier than all the rest of the world 'I should have saved it' and they have to deal with it always.

“There is just a few days in between this game and the City game and there was absolutely no real criticism from our side, from the players around him because everyone knows how good he is.

“He is a very calm person, now the next game is coming up and that is good as he can play his normal level again and everything will be fine.”

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Klopp revealed Fabinho – who has been filling in at centre-back – will miss today's game due to a “minor muscle issue”.

So it looks set to be a chance for deadline-day signing Ozan Kabak to start alongside Jordan Henderson in defence unless Klopp turns to Ben Davies, who also arrived just before the transfer window closed.

Klopp added: “They really throw themselves into everything ahead of them, which is what a defender should do.

“They are making big steps in adapting to the way we play. Again, that's important.

“It's all good so far. Now we have to make a decision. We have to change again because of Fab and now we will see which solution we will take.”

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