Summary Klopp has not been helped in his early matches, though, by a lack of attacking options
LIVERPOOL (AFP) - Jurgen Klopp s arrival as Liverpool manager has created a frenzy of interest among fans and media alike, but has not as yet succeeded in shedding his club s growing reputation as draw specialists.
Six of their last eight matches have ended in stalemate, a total that rises to seven with the inclusion of last month s unimpressive penalty shoot-out victory over League Two side Carlisle, which had ended 1-1 after 120 minutes.
The concern for Klopp ahead of his third match in charge, at home to Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday, is a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal.
While a 0-0 draw at Tottenham last Saturday marked a solid start to the former Borussia Dortmund manager s reign, Thursday s 1-1 Europa League draw at home to a 10-man Rubin Kazan side was more of a disappointment.
As Klopp put it: "Some of the players were so stiff in their mind. They think: We shoot now?
"We have to make better decisions in the box. But I have only been here for a short time and I think, at this stage, it s pretty normal."
Liverpool s performance against their Russian opponents lacked the pace they showed against Tottenham - and the energy for which Klopp s teams have become famed.
Klopp has not been helped in his early matches, though, by a lack of attacking options.
Christian Benteke has been absent with a hamstring strain for a month, Roberto Firmino for around the same length of time with a back injury, while Daniel Sturridge has missed the last two matches with a knee injury sustained in training.
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The news on Benteke and Firmino is good; both returned as substitutes against Rubin Kazan, and ought to be available to play at least some part on Sunday.
For Sturridge, the diagnosis is more of a concern.
Klopp had hoped to bring him back against Southampton, but the striker now requires another scan on his knee.
"It s not much better at the moment," Klopp said. "With Daniel s injury, we have to see day by day.
"If he can train completely normally on Saturday, then it s no problem and he s an option. But I have to wait for this.
"He needs treatment and a scan because there s a little fluid in the knee. We have to see."
Benteke is likely to start if he is anywhere near fit enough to do so; if not, then Divock Origi - yet to score in five appearances for Liverpool - may be asked to lead the attack for a third successive game.
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman is concerned the attention surrounding Klopp could prove a distraction as his side try to recover from squandering a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw against Leicester City last weekend.
"I think you have to be focused in your job as a manager to prepare your team for the game and the players to prepare to play on the level what we expect of the players," he said.
"We know Liverpool s a big team, a big history and they will get always more attention than Southampton. That s normal.
"Managers don t win and managers don t lose, it s the players between the white lines who make decisions and put the quality in.
"I think it s too much talking about managers. Talk about the teams, because they are more important."
