Liverpool assistant boss Pep Lijnders makes players read same message every day
Liverpool and Arsenal will push Man City for the title | Football Digest
Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has taken a new approach to inspiring Jurgen Klopp’s players when they arrive for training each day. The Reds have made a promising start to the Premier League campaign and currently sit just one point behind leaders Manchester City after winning eight of their opening 12 games.
Liverpool have fared significantly better this season than they did last time around, with the Reds having sat eighth after the same number of matches in the 2022/23 campaign. Part of their revival over the last few months has been down to their productive summer transfer window, which saw the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister make the switch to Anfield.
However, a general push to drive up the standards on a daily basis has also contributed to Liverpool’s impressive form in the Premier League this season. Lijnders has been instrumental in helping the players to stay motivated after taking it upon himself to display an inspirational message at their AXA Training Centre in Kirkby, according to The Athletic.
The message, which has been placed next to the door of the boot room, reads: “Standards are set by the ones who need to live them.” It was put up by Lijnders as a reminder for the players every time they walk onto the training pitch after a summer of upheaval, during which the likes of Jordan Henderson and James Milner left the club.
JUST IN: Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag set for unhappy new year with Glazers left fuming
Jurgen Klopp and his coaching staff knew the importance of maintaining the right culture in the dressing room, with Henderson and Milner having been two of the squad’s biggest leaders. A new leadership group has since emerged within the camp, which consists of Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker, Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson.
The five-strong group are thought to be involved in regular discussions with Lijnders, who liaises with them on a variety of topics including travel management for away trips and upcoming training schedules. The new approach seems to be working wonders behind the scenes, with Liverpool having found themselves at the right end of the Premier League table once again.
- Support fearless journalism
- Read The Daily Express online, advert free
- Get super-fast page loading
Don’t miss…
Man Utd could be about to sell another ‘scapegoat’ in January as well as Sancho[LATEST]
Newcastle can sign four Saudi stars in January after Prem vote on transfer rule[INSIGHT]
Arsenal icon tears into Kai Havertz as star told manager ‘doesn’t respect’ him[GOSSIP]
Klopp recently hailed his Liverpool players for filling the void left by the summer exits of Henderson and Milner, saying earlier this month: “I was very hopeful that we could deal with it but I was not sure, and I’m really happy the way the boys have grown into it, especially Virgil.
“Virgil has enjoyed being part of the leadership group in the last few years but now he enjoys the new role as well. Trent is growing into it, then there’s also Robbo, Mo and Ali is a natural leader. He’s not the one that is talking the whole week but when he says something it’s important and everybody listens.
“A good leader is only as good as the group he is in, that’s how it is. The boys are really into it. The new boys are confident but not too confident, they want to have an impact on everything and adjust to the club in some sense. I’m very pleased with that. They are all different but it’s good to have them.”
Want the latest Premier League news as we publish it on Express Sport? Join our Facebook group by clicking here.
Source: Read Full Article