The Reds manager could have waited for job offers from clubs with a squad tailor-made to compete for honours, but he is as invigorated as he was when offered the position in October.
“I am 100pc excited about the challenge. Why? Because I know more,” said Klopp ahead of his second meeting with Manchester City inside a week.
“I love the challenge. When I was younger I thought I had no chance to be part of professional football. I wanted to study medicine. I wanted to help people.
“I like to change things and help if it’s possible. It’s a hard way to go. I don’t know what other names FSG would have taken but I think I am a really perfect solution. I like this. I am patient enough to work for the moment and then we can change things.”
He is adamant Liverpool’s mid-table position will not be the norm under his watch. “We have to change a lot of things to be successful,” he added. “Nobody can win the league five or six years in a row because the financial potential of all the teams is too big. But always to be a part of this and to be a challenger is possible. That’s what we have to be in the future. ”
German manager has injury issues ahead of City’s visit, with Lucas among those injured. Despite a lack of game time for Christian Benteke, Klopp says the striker can still force his way into his plans.
“Christian wasn’t in the best moment of his career four or five weeks ago. It was obvious. Then Daniel Sturridge came back and then we had to think about what we do. That is not too funny I’m sure for him. That is how it is. The only thing is to work, there is no alternative.”
