Liverpool don't need drastic treatment, insists Klopp

Liverpool do not need drastic treatment and remain in a strong position, Jurgen Klopp says despite a disappointing mid-week result against Red Star Belgrade.

Klopp's side suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Serbian club in their Champions League group game on Tuesday night, and lost ground on Manchester City and Chelsea at the top of the Premier League after drawing with Arsenal 1-1 last weekend. 

The Reds face Fulham at home on Sunday and, in his official programme notes, their manager insisted the situation at the club remains positive, imploring fans not to overreact to the recent results. 

“We are in a good way and I encourage my players and the supporters to embrace this ahead of today," Klopp wrote.

"If I was a doctor I would say we are in really good health. Not perfect and of course we all want to be even healthier. But by no means are we need of any drastic treatment, far from it in fact.

"Finding the balance, as a team, to ensure we keep focused on our responsibilities to deliver, while at the same time not allowing ourselves to be overly burdened, is going to be important between now and May."

The German also admitted he accepts criticism is inevitable after a poor performance like the one in Serbia.

“I’ve been at this club and in this country long enough now to understand that a result like the one in Belgrade on Tuesday will lead to a lot of analysis, opinions offered and conclusions being drawn," Klopp continued. 

"This is absolutely fine of course and I understand that it even comes from those who genuinely care about our situation and have a desire to see us succeed.

"To be clear: the performance against Red Star wasn’t at the levels we expect of ourselves. End of story.

"But I also cannot and will not ignore everything else we have done so far this season. We kick off this fixture today, our 12th Premier League game of the season, with 27 points and within striking distance of first place in the table.

"These points have not been given to us on a silver plate or gift-wrapped. Our destiny in the Champions League group remains in our own hands. Not only are we in a situation with a number of avenues to qualify but if we win both our remaining games we will finish top of a highly competitive mini-league."