Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp delivered his first Premier League pre-match press conference of the 2018/19 season.
With 50 hours to go until kick off at Anfield on Sunday, the reds boss faced the media in a confident and engaging mood.
His only area of concern seemed to be the fact that news about a scan for midfielder Fabinho had been leaked to the media. A cursory glance to his side and the suggestion that 'Maybe at one point we can change that as well. Maybe the players in fancy dress.'
The reds boss clearly enjoys keeping things in house. Apart from that however he was happy with the squad available to him, happy with the level of performances in pre-season and aware of the significant investment that West Ham, with their new manager have also made this summer.
People ask me if it's the best squad I have ever had - I don't think about that. It's what we make of it. How often we deliver. How often we bring ourselves in a mood to fight against all these Premier League teams who want our points. That means we have to be ready to fight.
Transfer deadline day saw a late exit for Danny Ings. Initially on loan for a season at Southampton before a £20M transfer next June. The boss was asked about him.
Danny (Ings), what a fantastic person, fantastic professional. We miss him already to be honest. A lot of people were hoping still yesterday that something could avoid that transfer. He has friends here and will always have friends here. He is now going to his home club. I know he is happy about that. He is fully fit. Against Torino he showed that he is in a really good way.
And although Liverpool won't be bringing in any more players, the manager still expects a few more departures - be they permanent or loan deals.
The transfer window is only closed one way so we cannot buy anymore but we can only sell so that's the case - it's clear that a few things will happen.
Turning back to the players at his disposal for the weekend.
'(Trent, Jordan and Dejan Lovren) are all in a different shape. Henderson is full of power but not too long back. Dejan will not be available for the weekend. We have not too big issues but we have to think 'Is it a risk, do we take it?' I'm pretty sure we will have a fantastic football team. Hopefully I will have to make a few decisions. Ragnar and Joe Gomez, we will see how they are today.'
Klopp was asked about the 25 point gap to Man City last season and how the club go about closing the gap. He said that 'We are still Rocky Balboa not Ivan Drago.' before then seeing 'We need to be like Rocky Balboa.'
Clearly something a little lost in translation - although the self styled Italian Stallion did win his encounter with the man from the USSR. Liverpool will be hoping they reach the final round of the season with their hands aloft.
Liverpool welcome West Ham on Sunday at 1:30 pm BST.
VIDEO: LFC v West Ham - Klopp Pre-Match Press Conference
