Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he is invigorated rather than daunted about a potentially defining new year schedule.
By the time the club faces Leicester on February 2, Klopp will have a fuller idea as to whether the current squad can achieve this season’s ambitions or a bigger rebuild is demanded.
Liverpool have the two legged semi-final with Stoke City, high profile Premier League games with Arsenal and Manchester United and a Friday night FA Cup tie at Exeter City to contend with.
“To say January is decisive? We will see,” said Klopp.
Liverpool have been making steady progress under Klopp Photo: PA
“I’ve never been worried about a football game. I’m the first to be excited when you have a chance to reach something big. Of course we see this. But I can’t say I’ve been waiting all my life for Liverpool v Manchester United or Liverpool v Arsenal. We must wait for the single game. I can’t say ‘January is this or this’ it is going to be hard work.
“If you ask me what I am dreaming of it is getting all the points and taking each step in the cup but it’s difficult for all teams, especially for all those in the semi-final of the Capital One Cup.”
Divock Origi is just one Liverpool player to have struggled with injuries
Klopp’s problems with the fixture schedule are reinforced by injuries to Jordan Henderson and Divock Origi, the latter ruled out for three weeks with a hamstring problem.
“It’s a difficult to talk about the middle of January because we need to be focused on the start of January,” said the German coach.
“We have to recover and prepare for West Ham, then Stoke, then Exeter then Arsenal. We need the players of course, and see who is coming back which is easier in some cases than others. We need the players and to see what line-up we go with.
“I want to get more points than the first half of the season and go as far as possible in all the cups. With the Capital One Cup and Europa League we have four games more than most other teams - at an intensive moment - because we have been successful.
“The good thing in this moment is we have played different styles and adapted against special opponents. That is the next step. It is not what we always want to do but at a time like this football is not easy.”
Klopp has shrugged off comments made by Sam Allardyce
Klopp, meanwhile, has shrugged off comments from Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce describing him as a ‘soft German’ following Wednesday’s 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light.
Klopp was incensed a late challenge by Jeremain Lens on Mamadou Sakho went unpunished, prompting Allardyce’s rebuttal. The Football Association said the context of the comments ensured there was no cause for disciplinary action.
“It's not a problem,” said Klopp. “A lot of people have said worse things about me.
"If you see the (tackle) again, then you will know I was not wrong in my judgement of this. If you compare yellow cards in the game, then what's this?
"That's all I want to say. I had no arguments with the bench of Sunderland.”
Having been linked with Liverpool’s next opponents - West Ham - prior to moving to Anfield, Klopp added: “The Hammers. More my second name than 'soft'. West Ham is a good club but it was the wrong time, like all the clubs who approached me in the summer."
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