Mauricio Pochettino believes that Jürgen Klopp’s biggest task at Liverpool will be to persuade his new players to accept his pressing style of football.
Pochettino twice battled hard to instil a similar high-tempo philosophy after taking charge of Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, his current club, who host Liverpool in Klopp’s first game in charge tomorrow.
The Argentinian has said that it can take longer than expected for players to adapt to ideas, based on his experience, and Klopp will also need to respect Liverpool’s traditions and expectations.
“You need to convince the players that they believe in your philosophy and your ideas,” Pochettino said. “Then you need to know the culture, the different mentality, and it is a different football in England.
“When you are a manager like Klopp who reached the final of the Champions League, you have the skill to realise things. He knows he is at a big club. Liverpool have a lot of expectation. If you come here maybe you need to bring something better.”
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Pochettino said that Liverpool have adopted Klopp’s dynamic style in the opening half of their 0-0 draw against Arsenal in August.
Son Heung Min, the Tottenham striker, will miss the visit of Liverpool after failing to recover from a foot injury and could be out for a further three weeks. It leaves Tottenham hoping that Harry Kane stays fit because Clinton Njié has been slow to adjust after arriving at the club with an injury.
Pochettino was cagey when asked about Son’s injury. “One or two or three [weeks]. Four, no it is a joke. Maybe in a few weeks he will be back. I think he is nearly ready to come back to start training with the group. But every injury is different and we need to assess day by day.”
The striker has made a quick impact at his new club, scoring three times in four starts, but was taken off near the end of their 4-1 victory over Manchester City two weeks ago.
Young Spurs backed
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Mauricio Pochettino has put aside fears of burnout and backed his Tottenham Hotspur youngsters to be included in England’s squad for the Euro 2016 finals.
Dele Alli made his debut for England as a substitute against Estonia, despite the Tottenham head coach counselling against the 19-year-old being called up. Eric Dier, 21, will also hope to be selected.
Pochettino said he would not oppose Alli being named for the finals in France if he continues in the same form. “You never know and in football it is always about performance,” Pochettino said. “He is maturing and I am happy with the way that he was looked after.”