‘We have to step up’ - Klopp demands early start to Liverpool’s pre-season

Manager wants to maximise time with squad after poor term

FRESH START: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp applauds the fans after the Premier League match at Anfield.

Liverpool will start pre-season training as early as possible because of the need to “step up” on this term’s efforts, Jürgen Klopp has announced.

The Liverpool manager wants to give his players a minimum of three weeks’ holiday after a season extended by the World Cup. Klopp is also keen to avoid a repeat of last summer when, after the exertions of the quadruple-chasing campaign, Liverpool began pre-season with two matches in Thailand and Singapore.