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Klopp reveals what was written on note handed to Sturridge

Carl Recine / Reuters

Jurgen Klopp isn't one for secrets.

Speaking after Liverpool suffered a 1-0 defeat to Southampton in the first leg of its tie in the EFL Cup semi-finals, Klopp revealed exactly what was written on the note he handed Daniel Sturridge during the second half. Upon receiving the piece of paper, the English forward - the tournament's top scorer this season - was seen instructing teammates before struggling to discard it.

(Courtesy: Sky Football)

"New system," Klopp confessed, according to the Guardian's Mark Dobson. "Whatever we want to call it, 3-5-2. Lucas (Leiva) at the back, Emre (Can) in the centre, two wingers, two strikers. Half space for (Adam) Lallana and (Philippe) Coutinho. That's all. No more information but it was enough. Maybe it was a little bit too late. We gave the paper when the game was already running again, that was our mistake.

"I would say seven or eight (of many players) knew immediately. Roberto (Firmino) needed a little longer (to understand). But he was close enough to us. Things like this happen. That's not about being frustrated. That's about thinking you have a chance, that's all. What type of guy would I be if I sit outside, if we play well, I think I'm a wonderful manager, that's not like this, we tried to help.

"We thought it makes sense to have real wingers, high, make it more difficult for them to defend the wing, to have to play someone in the centre, Phil and Adam. Two strikers. Roberto with Daniel. That's all, it's not because we're frustrated."

Liverpool will have a chance to overcome the deficit when the Reds welcome Southampton in the second leg at Anfield on Jan. 25.

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