Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has insisted that his relationship with the team is as strong as ever.

Following a terrible run of form in 2017, Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson called a players-only meeting at Melwood just before the game against Tottenham Hotspur two weeks ago and the gathering certainly seemed to have the desired effect as the Reds claim a fine 2-0 victory over Spurs to stop the rot.

The players organising meetings without Klopp has led to speculation that the Liverpool boss is being undermined at present but the German tactician has denied such claims by stating that his relationship with the squad remains as strong as ever.

Klopp said: "It's not that I read about it in the newspaper.

"As a player I had more meetings without the manager in these sorts of times than with the manager. It was long ago. It is never a problem.

"I told the boys do it even when the public are aware of it being without the manager. I don't care. I don't have a second of doubt about my relationship with the team. I don't have to often be part of different things. That is really good.

"It is really important the boys come together and sort a few things for themselves because I can only give advice on the sidelines of the pitch, say hopefully the right things and make the right sessions, but they have to take it.

"They have to use it and deliver on the pitch and be a real group and a real group can meet, talk about it and work on solutions."