Jurgen Klopp urges consistency for Liverpool

Forced to miss Saturday's 2-2 draw at Anfield against Sunderland with an emergency appendectomy, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has returned to the sidelines to call for consistency for his unpredictable squad.

The draw, which was the club's fifth at home this season, leaves the Merseysiders in ninth, six points adrift of a coveted European berth amid a season of transition for the Scouse giants.

"I spoke to all of my coaches and what I heard before was what I saw afterwards: That it was not necessary to give the points away - the same if you were in a deep sleep or on the bench," Klopp told reporters ahead of Tuesday's FA Cup replay at West Ham.

"It's easy for me to say we have to carry on and take the positive things out of this game, because there were a lot of positive things. If you take out the last 10 minutes, then it was a real good game and how you should play."

Those last 10 minutes were nothing less than a nightmare for the Reds, as late goals from Adam Johnson and Jermain Defoe cancelled out the side's two-tally advantage to share the spoils on a day shrouded by an organised protest.

"We could have scored a few more goals and how we conceded the goals was not too good, how it always is," Klopp said. "But it is not the only information I need to understand what our situation is at the moment."

Klopp's words will ring true with Liverpool supporters who have witnessed the club play brilliantly one week against marquee sides only to capitulate to lesser squads.