Frustrated Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp dismissed suggestions his side would struggle to cope without central defender Virgil van Dijk after the Dutchman suffered a serious knee injury in the Merseyside derby at the weekend.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday's clash at Ajax in their opening Champions League fixture, Klopp was in combative mood when asked about the absent Van Dijk.
"Why should I think the boys cannot deal with the situation?" Klopp said. "Obviously you all think we'll struggle, we have to prove you wrong when I'm not interested in that.
"I am only interested in the best for LFC. We try that now. Next few weeks will calm you all down."
Centre back Joel Matip and Thiago both missed training on Tuesday and are unlikely to feature, adding to Liverpool's problems ahead of their first meeting with Ajax since 1966.
But Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and the other Liverpool stars looked in fine form as they prepared for the match with a final training session.
"Yes, we're here without VVD and Matip but still we will give it a try. Three weeks ago they said we would run away with it, now we're not in contention for anything," Klopp added.
