Klopp takes Liverpool first training session.

Philippe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge and James Milner were among the players who took part, with several others away on international duty or suffering from injuries

Jurgen Klopp took his first training session as Liverpool manager on Monday afternoon as he was finally able to commence his integration of a "recognisable brand" of football.

The 48-year-old, who has been tasked with defining the club’s style of play, led his group of players for the first time at Melwood. The session was scheduled for between 60-75 minutes, but it was under difficult conditions, with the squad depleted by injuries and international call-ups.

Along with his assistant Peter Krawietz and development coach Pepijn Lijnders, Klopp ran the rule over Philippe Coutinho, James Milner, Daniel Sturridge, Mamadou Sakho, Lucas, Alberto Moreno, Kolo Toure, Dejan Lovren and Joao Teixeira. Three young goalkeepers were also put to the test.

Klopp gathered those present in a huddle prior to the workout, and delivered a passionate message in just under five minutes. As he explained in his opening interview: “First of all I want to talk to them about football. It’s emotion inside, it’s speed. It’s a transition game."


The German had to do without his other assistant, Zeljko Buvac, who has yet to arrive on Merseyside. Also unavailable were captain Jordan Henderson and two of the club’s biggest-ever purchases in Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino, who have all been sidelined with injuries of varying seriousness.

Adam Lallana, Danny Ings and Nathaniel Clyne are still away with England, while Joe Gomez and Jordon Ibe are reporting for the country’s Under-21s. Simon Mignolet and Divock Origi are representing Belgium, Joe Allen is with Wales, Emre Can will be returning from his outing with Germany, and Martin Skrtel is readying for Slovakia’s clash in Luxembourg.

Klopp will use these early days at Melwood to “listen, see, feel - and then think about what to change.” He has already undertaken some sessions of his own at the complex in West Derby. The German has been studying videos of Liverpool’s performances this season since Friday, and spent Saturday morning at the Academy watching the U18s' victory over Stoke.


He has encouraged the club’s starlets by revealing his enthusiasm over their promise. “We all know the best players of today,” he told Bild. “Tomorrow we don't know who it will be, so we can work on this. When I manage a club, each young player should smile because the chance is bigger for them than it ever was."

Klopp’s ability to turn potential into end product as well as his experience of making a non-stellar squad more than the sum of its parts explains why Fenway Sports Group tried to lure him to Anfield on two previous occasions before finally landing his signature.

Klopp has a tough start to his Liverpool tenure though, with the club’s next three Premier League away trips taking him to Tottenham before daunting visits to Chelsea and Manchester City.