Klopp: Liverpool a defensive side

The 'Reds' have scored 70 goals in all competitions so far this campaign, second only to Premier League leaders Manchester City and have come in for widespread praise for their flamboyant aprroach to the game.

Their attacking quartet of Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino have earned the moniker 'the fab four' for their exploits, with Salah currently leading the Premier League's top goalscorers chart, though Liverpool's defence has often let them down.

Klopp's men saw their faint title hopes all but ended as they threw away a two-goal lead within four minutes against Arsenal on Friday night, with the national press reporting that the club will look to bring in a centre-back in January to tighten up their rearguard.

However, speaking ahead of the visit of Swansea on Boxing Day, Klopp made the astounding assertion that his side is in fact a defensive one.

'We have a defending approach, we played 4-5-1 (against Arsenal) and they all have responsibility to defend,’ said Klopp. 

‘As long as they do it, we can line up quite offensive player-wise. There is nobody on the pitch who is not involved in defending. The goals were not because we were not defending. 

‘The goals (against Arsenal) came because we let them cross, it happens in a football game. We let them shoot, it happens also.

‘To be honest it’s not true to say I’m naturally offensive. I want to defend first of all because that is the basis for everything. 

‘The best thing is to defend with 10 offensive players because when you have the ball it’s much more likely that you will score.’