Liverpool boss Klopp - "I hate international breaks."

Jurgen Klopp will be hoping his players bounce back to winning ways when his Reds host Arsenal at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday.

Klopp has admitted his hate for the international breaks again [GETTY IMAGES]

Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp has given the kiss of life to his former criticism of the international breaks, saying that he “hates” them.

A number of the Reds returned to training late after being away on international duty with their respective countries, with Jordan Henderson and Andrew Robertson sustaining injuries on their arrival.

Prior to the international break, the Merseyside club suffered their first defeat [3-2] of the 2021-22 Premier League campaign when they played David Moyes’ West Ham at the London Stadium.

The German, who has never bought into the idea of the international breaks, expressed his opinion again ahead of Liverpool’s league tie against Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday.

"I hate international breaks and it didn't help with the injuries," said Klopp. "The break was not helpful, I would have loved to have played the week after (West Ham).

“(International) coaches have their own targets and very often think they have to do physical work with the players. The break was not helpful.

“Hendo and Robbo have not trained with the team yet. It will be pretty close — a late decision.”

Klopp also spoke about his future at Liverpool amid rumours claiming Steven Gerrard will succeed him.

Liverpool hero Gerrard was named as Aston Villa boss last week following the sacking of Dean Smith.

"Wow! I thought Stevie said a lot of nice things and really smart things. I watched the press conference and it was incredibly good," Klopp said.

"I don’t have to think about these kinds of things at the moment, thank God, because we are in the middle of this season and that’s all that we are focused on.

"No other manager gets asked that often about things that are happening in two-and-a-half years, three years, or four years…

"I didn’t think about it until you asked me now, and I don’t want to think about it. It’s all fine how it is.

"It’s over when it’s over, but it’s far away from being over, so let’s focus on that."

Follow Think Football Ideas across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.