Jurgen Klopp admits even he is surprised at how well his new-look Liverpool side has started the season.
The German coach takes his squad to a resurgent Tottenham this weekend, on the back of an eight-game unbeaten run in league and cup games.
And even he did not anticipate such an upturn in results after a major summer overhaul of his squad. Key to the promising start has been the form of midfield signings Alexis Mac Allister, a proven player from Brighton, and Hungarian Premier League newcomer Dominik Szoboszlai.
He said: “We called it a new start; this is year one. We gave ourselves a chance to create a basis and use it. We don’t know how good we are or how stable it is but we see the good moments.
“It helped that we had a long pre-season when we worked for a long time together. This season we have been getting results in moments where previous things would have gone the other way. Individually the quality is really good, the potential in the squad is outstanding and the group is open to new things.”
Speaking of the sensational Szoboszlai, a £60m recruit from RB Leipzig, Klopp added: “I am impressed as well. The boy is impressive. Really smart, really nice. A really good lad, close with everybody. In the team in an instant and so happy to come here, nice to see. It’s a good situation to play your best football.”
The Reds have won five of their first six Premier League games, along with victories in the Carabao Cup and Europa League, and are undefeated to start the new season. However, they face a Spurs team that has also been revitalised.
“It will be a really tough test.” Klopp added. “I can’t remember an easy game… we played at Newcastle, that was tough. Chelsea too (1-1 draw), the away games have all been tough, and home games not easy.”The match also marks he first meeting with new Tottenham manager Ange Postecgolu.
“Tottenham is doing really well. Ange seems to be a top bloke, I’m looking forward to meeting him.
“If you saw Celtic (his former team) play, you’d know how good a coach he is. He is delivering good football in a year when Harry Kane left. He is doing extremely well and they are exciting to watch. It will be a test for both of us.”
