Jurgen Klopp acknowledges Liverpool must improve in front of goal
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes many of his players have become too anxious about scoring and are making poor decisions as a result.
Goals have been hard to come by for the Reds, with their two main strikers Daniel Sturridge and Christian Benteke suffering with injuries this season.
September's 3-2 win over Aston Villa was the only time since February they have registered more than one in a game and similar problems were evident in Thursday's 1-1 draw against 10-man Rubin Kazan in the Europa League.
Klopp insists only time - and more coaching from him - will improve the situation.
"It is important to get more stable but I saw the pressure on the players when they missed a chance," he said.
"I saw some players they were so stiff in their minds... 'Now we have to shoot'... we have to decide better (when it comes to) shooting, passing. When we go in the box we have to be better.
"It is only important you are always able to make the right decision at the right time because they have the quality to finish and create chances.
"We created chances against a deep defending opponent (Rubin) and we had many situations where we were close - and close is better than far away.
"This is, after this short time (working with him), is pretty normal.
"Sometimes you have to show them when to shoot and where the other options are and then the boys have to decide by themselves.
"I am still cool with the situation. If they stay healthy these guys then we can work."
Klopp's attacking options for Sunday's visit of Southampton will at least be boosted by the returns of Benteke and Roberto Firmino, who both came off the bench in midweek after month-long lay-offs.
Two draws in his opening matches have helped quell the raging expectation which raced across Merseyside at his appointment but that does not mean Klopp is content.
He added: "I didn't expect we would run through the league from the moment I started here.
"This league is too strong, the opponents are too strong. We don't have enough time between the games to always be 20 per cent better in the next game.
"But I have seen many things. I see it in set-plays, in the defensive play. I trust in the qualities of the players."
Klopp will make a late decision on whether Sturridge is fit to return from a knee injury, which has kept him out of the last two games, after assessing his participation on Saturday's training session.
Southampton boss Ronald Koeman believes Klopp may be surprised by the intensity of the Premier League.
The charismatic German will be desperate for victory after draws against Tottenham and Rubin Kazan but Southampton are in good form having lost just once in their last seven matches.
Koeman's first season in England ended with the south-coast outfit seventh in the table - the club's highest finish in the Premier League - but the Dutchman admits the rigour of English football took some getting used to.
"What might surprise Klopp? Every weekend it's very intense," Koeman said.
"You don't have a lot of difference between the clubs. You have to be play at a good level to win every game.
"You can lose against everybody. You can win against everybody.
"If you stay one year as manager you realise it's a tough competition.
"There's no Christmas break and you need a full squad for that."
Liverpool are a team in transition under their new manager as they begin to adjust to Klopp's dynamic, high-pressing style of play.
The Reds were impressive in the opening half an hour at White Hart Lane but appeared to run out of steam, while old problems in attack resurfaced on Thursday as they failed to break down 10-man Kazan.
"On the one side it's difficult (to prepare for Liverpool) because maybe they have some players like Christian Benteke and Daniel Sturridge back from injuries," Koeman said.
"I think (high-pressing) it's how they like to play football. It was the same in the first game and (against Kazan). I don't think they will change.
"But the most important thing is ourselves. How we like to play, how we like to press, how we have to play compact as our team. It's all about that.
"Liverpool are a big team with a big history. They will always get more attention than Southampton. That's normal."
Koeman may be without Jay Rodriguez for the clash.
Rodriguez has been eased back into first-team action since returning from 16 months out with a cruciate ligament injury but he is struggling with pain in his feet.
Shane Long is out with an ankle problem while Florin Gardos and Fraser Forster are also sidelined with knee injuries.
Source: PAR
