Rare losses have kept Liverpool feet on the ground, says Klopp

Rare losses have kept Liverpool feet on the ground, says Klopp
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Carabao Cup - Third Round - Milton Keynes Dons v Liverpool - Stadium MK, Milton Keynes, Britain - September 25, 2019 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp during the match REUTERS/David Klein Copyright DAVID KLEIN(Reuters)
Copyright DAVID KLEIN(Reuters)
By Reuters
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(Reuters) - Liverpool may be on a 15-match winning run in the Premier League but manager Juergen Klopp said on Friday that he is glad his side has suffered losses in other competitions that have kept their feet firmly on the ground.

Liverpool are top of the league after six games -- the only Premier League team with a perfect record this season -- and Klopp's side will look to extend their winning run on Saturday at Sheffield United.

"We don't think about (the winning run)," Klopp told reporters. "The only moment when I think about it is in the press conference. Nobody mentions it, it's just about the next game.

"Thank God we lost from time to time in the Champions League and other cup competitions so we still know how it feels, because that is really important."

Liverpool have never won a Premier League match at Bramall Lane and Blades boss Chris Wilder joked that his side might need to play 11 defenders against the European champions.

"We want to go to Sheffield and make their life as uncomfortable as possible," Klopp added. "Maybe we're considered a top team but we don't want to behave like a top team.

"I don't see any reason why there should be any advantage for Sheffield apart from playing in their own stadium."

Liverpool impressed in their 2-0 win at MK Dons in the League Cup after Klopp made 11 changes with youngsters coming to the fore, but he said they would have to wait their turn before they were ready for league action.

"We're not in doubt about these boys and we know what we're going to do with them and what we expect of them," the German manager said. "They have all the time in the world and they're in a really strong squad, so it's not easy for them to get in.

"They have to be patient. We don't prepare them for one Premier League game, we prepare them for a Premier League career."

Sadio Mane has recovered from a dead leg and striker Divock Origi is also fit but Klopp confirmed Xherdan Shaqiri remains sidelined while goalkeeper Alisson Becker continues his recovery from a calf injury.

"Ali looks like he is close but the final work is with the medical department," Klopp said. "In the last two weeks he has progressed really well. He's not in contention for tomorrow."

(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Davis)

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