The Liverpool manager commented on his team’s current form ahead of Saturday’s trip to Wolves, saying they can draw inspiration from the Manchester United forward’s performances.
Jurgen Klopp has hailed Marcus Rashford as one of the “best examples” his underperforming Liverpool players could follow.
Revitalised under Erik ten Hag, Manchester United forward Rashford has scored 18 goals in 31 matches in all competitions this season.
That follows on from a meagre five strikes in 32 games in the last campaign, when United were overseen by first Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and then Ralf Rangnick.
Klopp’s Liverpool have been experiencing a reversal in fortunes, following on from last season’s triumphs in the Carabao and FA Cups amid an extraordinary effort to win a quadruple of trophies.
This time around the Reds are already out of both cups they won last season, and sit ninth in the Premier League ahead of Saturday’s trip to Wolves.
“It’s something you have to deal with,” said Klopp at his press conference on Friday.
“Of course some players didn’t reach the level that have reached for us consistently. One of the best examples is Marcus Rashford, the season he had last year and this year.
Rashford has been in superb form for United this season ( Image: Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
“I’m not sure he can even explain it. That’s how it goes. The time between these two extremes, you have to fight through it.”
One player who hasn’t been at his best for the Reds all season is midfielder Fabinho, who has lost his place in the side to youngster Stefan Bajcetic in recent weeks, something Klopp admits the Brazilian isn’t happy about.
“There are no arguments or anything like that,” he said. “He knows that he’s not flying.
“It’s now really helpful we have Stefan as we need this, the guy who wants to win challenges and protects everyone and plays football. Fabinho for plenty of years has been absolutely brilliant but at moment, it’s not clicking.”
Fabinho has been replaced in the Liverpool side by Stefan Bajcetic ( Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Klopp also defended the form of Mohamed Salah, whose goal against Wolves in the FA Cup last month was his only one in the past seven games.
“Mo hasn’t lost confidence, it’s like all strikers, when it’s going well then it’s going well and they can go through periods like he is,” he said.
“Each striker benefits from settled things, everyone knows that.”
Salah is set to start in attack at Molineux, and Klopp will be able to call upon former Wolves forward Diogo Jota next week after he returned to training.
Ibrahima Konate will miss the trip to Wolves, with Joe Gomez and Joel Matip set to line up in defence.
“Generally, it’s looking better,” said Klopp of the injuries.
“Jota had a full session with the team this week. I think he will be pretty much back in training next week. Bobby [Firmino] is getting closer. Luis [Diaz] is running now, that will take a few weeks still.
Diogo Jota is close to returning for Liverpool ( Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“Ibou [Konate] is out. Virgil [van Dijk] is getting closer, but not ready for the game. Nothing else so far but there are still two hours until training.
“Ibou has a muscle injury and we don’t think it’s massive. After the game I asked him and he said it was okay. Then treatment, scan and out. It’s not cool.
“Joey and Joel played together before so not massive problem, but not perfect.”
source: www.mirror.co.uk
