Nathaniel Clyne on the challenge of learning to play the Jurgen Klopp way at Liverpool

Liverpool’s Nathaniel Clyne is eager to embrace his new manager’s work ethic – with a League title the primary aim

At Borussia Dortmund, Jürgen Klopp’s players could almost have been programmed for success, such was the frequent delivery of trophies during his time there.

Judging by his opening address to Liverpool’s players at their Melwood training ground, he fully intends to do the same at Anfield. Most topics were covered and it is not easy for Nathaniel Clyne to remember them all. One does stick in his mind, though.

“He was going through what he wanted out on the pitch, and the importance of being a team, when he suddenly said: ‘You are mentally strong machines.’” The Liverpool right-back smiles. “That’s what he calls us, mentally strong machines.”

If that caused some slight, initial bemusement, another message Clyne is able to recall could hardly be misconstrued. “He also said he wants us to win the League while he’s still with us. Not just challenge, but be champions.”

It is barely a fortnight since Klopp (right) agreed a three-year deal to replace Brendan Rodgers as manager, but he has packed plenty in. He endeared himself to many supporters with his self-effacing “Normal One” oblique dig at Jose Mourinho, while successive draws against Tottenham and Rubin Kazan, particularly the latter, underlined the task ahead. He will not shy away from it.

Clyne, speaking before today’s reunion with his former club Southampton, provided an insight into how the colourful 48- year-old Klopp operates. “Early impressions have been really positive, because he has so much enthusiasm for everything he does,” Clyne says. “That first meeting, when he sat everyone down at Melwood, was a good example. He was telling us we had to work as a team when he just came out with ‘you are mentally strong machines’.

“It sounded a bit strange at first, but it’s what he wants, and we’ve got to take to it. He wants us to be pressing and getting up and down the pitch like his Dortmund team did, so you can see where he’s coming from. He also told us he wanted to see the League title coming to Anfield during his time with us. That’s the level he has set the bar at. It’s a bold statement, but he is that kind of guy. I think every player in our dressing room is here to win trophies.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp watches Daniel Sturridge and Nathaniel Clyne in training (Getty Images)

“That’s what a big club like Liverpool, with all the history attached to it, is all about, and it is time we delivered. As players, it was just what we wanted to hear.”

Rodgers always preached tempo, but it has gone on to another level under Klopp, who is not a great advocate of days off. This amiable chat with Clyne had to be curtailed because he was due at Melwood for training, little over 12 hours after the final whistle against Rubin Kazan. “The message from the outset was he wants us pressing the ball high up the pitch, getting around players and not letting them breathe,” says Clyne. “We train every day, and there is no doubt it has increased in intensity. There is a lot of running and closing down and working on shape and how to press as a team.

“How did he prepare us for all that? He showed us some video clips of him coaching at Dortmund and putting their players through the same drills, so we knew exactly what lay ahead. I watched them when they were winning the Bundesliga and various cups and reaching the Champions League final. It didn’t do them much harm.” The smile is an engaging Klopp trait, but it can be misleading. “You can see, on the touchline, there is a hard side to him,” Clyne says. “He’s there constantly shouting at people to get back or push forward. He did tell us anyone not working will get shouted at, so I’m going to have to watch out when I’m on his side of the pitch.

“I got it in the ear a bit in the second half [against Rubin Kazan] when I was virtually through on goal in front of The Kop but unselfishly decided to square it to someone else. It didn’t work out, unfortunately, and I was reminded I should have had a shot myself. To be fair, a few of my mates said the same afterwards. I ended up having a bit of a restless night.”

On the personal side, Clyne is willing his former Southampton team-mate Luke Shaw to recover quickly from a broken leg. “I sent Luke a message at the time, telling him he’ll come back better, fitter and stronger than ever and wishing him all the best for his recovery,” he said. “He is coping well, and I know he has the strength of character to do that.”

On the professional side, Clyne has been picking up tips from England coach and former Manchester United right-back Gary Neville.

“Gary has given me advice when we’ve been away with England. I feed off him a lot. He has made a point of coming to me and chatting about my game, which I really appreciate. I know it sounds strange Gary Neville helping a Liverpool player – I think it must have been when I was still at Southampton!”

Nathaniel Clyne was supporting the biggest grassroots football tournament in the country, the English Schools’ FA PlayStation Schools’ Cup. Since its launch, over 150,000 players have been involved. Visit www.playstationschoolscup.com