“I am not David Copperfield” – Jurgen Klopp reiterates need for time at Liverpool

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Jurgen Klopp has insisted that there is no short-term trick to magically improve Liverpool’s results and has reiterated the need for time to “make a difference”.

We are ninth in the Premier League table ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Aston Villa – only one place higher than we were when Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers in October.

The German has taken us to the Capital One Cup final and the Europa League knockout stages, but we have only managed five points from a possible 18 in the league in 2016.

Klopp is enjoying the challenge and has full confidence in his ability to engineer Liverpool’s return to the English elite – having promised a title within four years of his arrival.

But he has joked that he is “not David Copperfield” and will not magically turn around Liverpool’s fortunes overnight. It will take time and hard work, Klopp warns.

“I think everyone knows there would have been a few easier jobs but I am not this kind of guy,” Klopp is quoted as saying by Sky Sports. “I am not David Copperfield. It is not about making things change and everything is OK. It is about work. I feel completely in the right place. I feel good, I like to work and I am still learning about everything.

“I was always ready for the right job in the right situation where you can make a difference. To change things you need time. Liverpool is not in the most easy moment but I am not surprised. We could have had six points more, no problem. It is not too far away. That is how football is.

“A few things hadn’t worked – otherwise they would not have changed the manager – then you have an international break, injuries, re-injuries, and because of this other players are having to play.

“Of course I am disappointed with a few results and performances but I am positive and surprised by a few other performances. The players have shown me what is possible, sometimes for the team, sometimes for the individual.

“If it was easy, everyone could do it. That is clear. I never chose my jobs. The first job they gave me at Mainz because it was better than having me as a player! I am strong enough to handle pressure for a lot of people around me.

“I am not in doubt about my qualities as a manager. I know about the game and the importance of working together. That’s it. Nobody wants to hear this. Everyone just wants to have results. That is no problem.

“We are not in a perfect position but we are in a good way. I have no problem getting a few knocks and having a few beautiful moments along the way. We are preparing for the future.”

We face a pivotal week in our season, with next weekend’s Capital One Cup final against Manchester City coming in between the two legs of our Europa League tie against Augsburg.

Winning that competition seems to be our only chance of qualifying for the Champions League. Defeat at Villa could leave us as many as 13 points adrift of the top four.

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