Jurgen Klopp has played down rumours that he could step down as Liverpool coach amid a poor run of form and difficult period in his personal life.
The Reds fell to a 3-1 defeat by Leicester in the top flight at the weekend, leaving them 13 points behind leaders Manchester City – who have a game in hand – in fourth place. But Liverpool fans showed their support for 53-year-old Klopp by unfurling a “Jurgen Klopp YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)” banner outside Anfield.
“I am grateful for the support. But fans can think about other things, nobody needs to worry,” Klopp told reporters ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 first leg against RB Leipzig.
“Rumours of me quitting or taking break? Neither [is true]. I don’t need a break. Everyone knows it has been a tough time, but it wasn’t just last three weeks, it was longer than that.
“I’ve worked in football for 30 years, I don’t carry things around. Nobody has to worry. The beard gets more and more grey, I don’t sleep a lot, but I am full of energy.”
“The mood is okay. We are ready to go… Nobody is happy being fourth in the league and only having 40 points. We have to deal with the situation,” he added.
Klopp said midfielder Naby Keita had returned to training after shaking off an ankle injury but would not travel with the team to Hungary.
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