Why Jurgen Klopp is tempted to play 11 defenders against Watford

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has openly joked about his side’s upcoming match against fellow Premier League side Watford, stating he is “tempted to play 11 defenders” in order to keep a clean sheet.

The Reds have enjoyed a fantastic start to their Premier League campaign and they will be hoping for another positive result against an impressive Hornets side this weekend.

Why is Klopp thinking about playing 11 defenders against Watford? Five key things to know…

  1. Liverpool have started the season well, conceding just five goals in their 12 Premier League games so far.
  2. In that time, the Reds have kept an impressive seven clean sheets.
  3. Should they keep another clean sheet against Watford at the weekend, Liverpool will break a club record having never conceded as few as five goals in their opening 13 games of a league season.
  4. Because of this, Jurgen Klopp has joked he will play 11 defenders to ensure they break the record.
  5. Liverpool are yet to concede more than one goal in a game this season, one of only two Premier League sides to achieve this feat alongside Manchester City.

Klopp spoke to the media in his pre-match press conference and jokingly admitted he considered putting 11 players behind the ball in order to break the impressive defensive record.

When the record was mentioned to him, the German joked: “I didn’t know that. Now I will put 11 defenders on the pitch to make sure we get that record!

“The record was not our main focus. We play to win football games and it makes life easier if we don’t concede but it will be a proper challenge tomorrow.

“It’s no coincidence that Watford are seventh in the league. They got a proper knock against Bournemouth but all the other games they were very good.

“You don’t get a lot of shots against them. You have to be ready for all the small things.”

Klopp ready for test against ‘best’ Watford side

Despite admitting Liverpool have eyes on their defensive record, Klopp still had time to heap praise upon this weekend’s opposition, stating this is the best Watford side he will encounter since his move to England.

“They’ve been really good,” he said.

“I think they’ve won six games. They play good football, are lively, and well organised in a 4-4-2 with a good game-plan.

“We played two weeks ago against Fulham and [Aleksandar] Mitrovic did a similar job and Troy [Deeney] is another [like that]. It will be interesting, they have quick wingers and very good central midfielders. I saw the game against Tottenham and they were very good.

“It’s a proper package – the best Watford team since I’ve come to England.”

The post Why Jurgen Klopp is tempted to play 11 defenders against Watford appeared first on Squawka News.



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