Klopp advises Ojo to empty the tank more for Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp has advised Sheyi Ojo not to hold back if he wants to force his way back into Liverpool’s first-team set up.

Ojo looked set for a big role this season after being involved in Klopp’s side in the closing stages of the 2015/2016 campaign.

But a back injury sustained during the club’s pre-season tour of America put him on the back foot with the 19-year-old winger only making his return from injury for the under-23s in early December.

(Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

He has been a regular in the under-23s team ever since although he has not yet made the step back to the senior set-up.

And after taking time to sit down with the England under-19 international during the Reds’ training camp in Tenerife earlier this week, Klopp revealed what he had told his young player he had to do to force himself into the reckoning again.

“The easiest answer was ‘more’, because when you are that skilled, then come on!” said Klopp.

“[I asked] ‘When was the last time you did a 100 per cent sprint?’ Technical-wise he’s so good that he doesn’t use it, but that makes no sense because at the highest level you need this speed.

“Now at U23 level I can see him running like crazy to show ‘yes, I’m ready’ and that helps him a lot. Even in not-perfect games you can see he’s involved in other parts.

“So, it’s a very important moment for him and if he keeps this attitude then everything will be good in the end, 100 per cent.”