Liverpool riding on red tide of optimism as good form and squad strength leaves Jurgen Klopp bullish ahead of Manchester City clash

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Thursday morning at Liverpool's Melwood training base and Jurgen Klopp marched purposefully into the dressing room. 

After the stresses of the transfer window and the anxieties that haunt every manager during the international break, Klopp was upbeat as he welcomed his players back. 

There was laughter, jokes and also a sense of relief. In his professional world, the scene in front of him was all he wanted. So he began to speak, his tone light-hearted at first.  

Liverpool new boy Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain arrives at the Lowry Hotel on Friday 

The former Arsenal midfielder follows England team-mate Jordan Henderson up the stairs 

This day, Klopp stressed, was the beginning for the group, which he mischievously suggested had been bolstered by two new arrivals — Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the £35million signing from Arsenal, and Philippe Coutinho. 

Then, though, the pitch of his words altered. Quickly it became motivational and rallying, how the trip to Manchester City on Saturday afternoon presented the first chance to make a statement. Then, finally, came the words of warning: there will be no room on this journey for those with their own agendas.

It was not aimed at Coutinho, who had been desperate to leave Anfield last month. Klopp and the Brazilian had spoken privately before the group gathering and everything was 'cool'. The point Liverpool's gregarious manager wanted to make was how unity will help them fulfil their aims. 

'Everyone has this little bit of understanding and thinks 'OK, it's Barcelona' and it is not that he wants to go to Everton,' said Klopp, explaining why Coutinho will stay on the sidelines on Saturday. 

'Then it would have been different I would say. Another wonderful club but a different situation. From the squad we had two weeks ago we are plus two in Ox and Phil. That is a situation you don't have too often and, of course, there will be hard decisions about the squad. The line-up? Everybody knows I (pick) it so if they are angry, they are angry at me. But I can accept this. 

Jurgen Klopp was in high spirits on arrival (left) while Sadio Mane (right) was also present 

Liverpool boss Klopp is bullish ahead of his team playing Manchester City on Saturday

'The squad is different, if you're not involved, you have no chance to come on and players want to be involved. If all are fit then it will happen that a few are not involved, even quality players. I told them I respect all of them. 

'I said 'you are here because I need you'. It has to be like this.' Klopp finds the idea of Liverpool being spoken of as potential title contenders after just three games risible but if they follow up their blitzing of Arsenal 13 days ago with a victory in the Blue corner of Manchester, their name will be put into conversations. 

The reason? The depth. Klopp might not have signed Virgil van Dijk but it says something for their resources that Liverpool will head down the M62 without Coutinho, the injured Adam Lallana and club record signing Naby Keita, who is still in Germany, and still look formidable. 

'They always have been, always were and always will be,' City manager Pep Guardiola observed. 'Liverpool with (Manchester) United is the most (successful) in the past teams in England, in Europe — even though they didn't win the Premier League for a long, long, long time. 

Klopp is building a strong squad and fostering good team spirit - pictured joking with Mo Salah

Liverpool are beginning to look formidable and earned plaudits for their thrashing of Arsenal 

'Every season they are one of the contenders. No doubt about that. They are so, so strong. Their squad has depth. Last season they played only one game a week. This season we are going to see how they react (to the Champions League). But top manager, top team. It will be a nice game.' 

City remain the team all others will have to pass to land the biggest prize. Liverpool are fighting to get to that level but their chances of doing so have improved since they were last in action and when Coutinho is reintegrated to the team, the quality will take another leap forward. 

More than anything, though, Klopp believes the way Liverpool are viewed has changed. He will be guarding an enviable record at the Etihad, having never lost at a top six ground since arriving in the Premier League two years ago and it could be argued he has never turned up at this kind of venue with such confidence. 

'Only one group of people can make this the most beautiful place in the world,' said Klopp. 'That is us. It is about how we show the world who and how we are. In the end, it is up to us to deliver.' 

Klopp talks to new signing -Oxlade Chamberlain, a purchase from Arsenal last month

Klopp studies his troops while they have a quick breather during training ahead of City game