Jurgen Klopp ‘satisfied’ with Liverpool’s debut draw

Jurgen Klopp insists he was satisfied with his introduction to English football as his Liverpool side left Tottenham with a point.

The German was welcomed to Anfield with much fanfare having been announced as Brendan Rodgers’ successor and he guided the Reds to a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane.

While injuries to Christian Benteke, Danny Ings and now Daniel Sturridge have limited Klopp’s attacking options, the former Borussia Dortmund boss saw Liverpool keep their first clean sheet since August.

Divock Origi was named as the lone striker and hit the crossbar early on – but it was Tottenham who then created the better chances as both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.

“I’m satisfied,” Klopp said of the draw.

“This is not the worst sign as I hadn’t got the biggest expectations for the game as we only had three days together and Tottenham are a strong and tuned team.

“It could have been difficult yet I’m really satisfied. The start was brilliant and we surprised them a little bit.

“Football is a result sport. We need all the results, we have to try and improve, work together and do the things together we want to see. The nil on the right side is okay, the nil on the other side doesn’t give you the same feeling.”

Klopp revealed he had attempted to sign Origi while at Dortmund only for Liverpool to beat them to the punch – but he is now pleased to be working with the Belgium international having lost Ings for the season and with Sturridge sitting out this game as a precaution.

“I wanted to take him to Dortmund when Liverpool bought him,” Klopp said of Origi.

“We could not because he went to Liverpool and on loan to Lille. He is a very good player. Fast and a good technician, at this moment not full of experience in the game because he didn’t play so often but we will have fun with this player, I’m sure.

“When I came here and thought about Liverpool, I thought four strikers with quality and now I have one. That is not the best situation but I like Divock, young (Jerome) Sinclair was on the bench and he was close to coming on.

“I don’t think about players I don’t have, it doesn’t make sense. Danny Ings of course needs time, Benteke doesn’t need the same time and could be back next week. The best situation is when all the players are at 100 per cent but it doesn’t happen so often.

“Danny (Sturridge) had a one-on-one situation with Jordon Ibe in training and afterwards he had a little pain in the muscle – I’m not a specialist for this but we screened him only to be sure. There is a little bit of swelling but nothing serious so we will have to see. I hope on Thursday he will be ready to play.”

Spurs started slowly but came close through substitute Clinton Njie and Harry Kane, only for Simon Mignolet to keep both of them at bay as the goalkeeper enjoyed a strong outing for the visitors.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino felt that his side deserved to win the game having created more chances than Liverpool and praised Kane as the England forward looks to add to his solitary league goal so far this season.

“I think of course,” Pochettino replied when asked if he felt his side should have taken all three points.

“We only concede one clear chance, from the corner where we have only 10 players on the pitch with (Nacer) Chadli injured. Then I think we had four clear chances in the first half, Mignolet saved Liverpool and I’m very happy, very pleased with the players.

“Harry was good. He had two clear chances to score – we had four chances and two from Harry.

“How many chances had Origi, not to criticise another player but you expect Harry should score every time he touches he ball but he worked a lot and there was great effort, the goal is coming.”