Liverpool ready for 'fresh start' after World Cup wait - Lijnders

Liverpool are ready for a 'fresh start' ahead of their return to EFL Cup action against Manchester City, assistant coach Pep Lijnders says.

Jurgen Klopp's side suffered a lackluster performance in the opening months of the season, heading into the World Cup break sixth in the Premier League table - seven points behind fourth and 15 behind the leader Arsenal.

It left Liverpool among those in need of significant improvement ahead of the rest of the season, although Lijnders believes positive signs were shown ahead of the tournament in Qatar, with results including back-to-back wins over Tottenham and Southampton.

"We see it as a fresh start. The boys are hungry, they are passionate, they want to show it on the pitch," Lijnders said.

"We know we have to commit. Against City there will be times when it won't be easy, but all our boys have that experience. It will be a top show for sure.

"I think we were on our way back, to be honest I felt we had some momentum and then it was the World Cup. You have to take life as it is is, a lot of things you can't change, you have to make the most of them.

"That's what we always tried to do, we used this time not only to train the lungs, the legs, the heart, but also to train the eyes and the mind with video meetings.< /p>

"We know we can succeed, there is still a lot to play for."

Liverpool and other teams competing in Europe have already mixed up their play for EFL Cup fixtures, using them as an opportunity to pass on experience to the squad's younger players, and Lijnders says the Cup du Monde showed why rotation is essential.

"If there's one thing this World Cup proves, it's that you need your whole team. Successful teams needed their whole team," he said.

"When we play in the Coupe de la Ligue, it's always on a busy schedule, and we know we have to be on top to win these games. We can't rest the players. The boys have to be on top. top in matches, and now is the perfect time to use the squad.

"Age is just a number, we always believe we need to give our talents a chance, not just young players against lower league opponents, but also against Premier League sides.< /p>

"We want them to have challenges and struggle because that's how they improve. It's my job and Klopp's job to improve our players and improve the game. team, and that's what we're trying to do."