Jürgen Klopp has said he took the Liverpool job because it was the right one, not the easiest one, and that it would need David Copperfield to conjure an immediate transformation at Anfield.

Liverpool head to bottom-of-the-table Aston Villa on Sunday in ninth position having taken five points from a possible 18 in 2016 and with hopes of a second Wembley appearance this season dashed by West Ham United in the FA Cup on Tuesday. Klopp has had to navigate a way through a demanding fixture schedule with an extensive injury list, guiding Liverpool to the Capital One Cup final in the process, and call for compromise between the owner, Fenway Sports Group, and supporters over the ticket price controversy.

He insists, however, that Liverpool have held no surprises since he replaced Brendan Rodgers as manager in October and his early experiences will prove invaluable for the future.

“I think everyone knows there would have been a few easier jobs but I am not this kind of guy,” said Klopp. “I was always ready for the right job in the right situation where you can make a difference. To change things you need time. Liverpool is not in the most easy moment but I am not surprised. We could have had six points more, no problem. It is not too far away. That is how football is.

“A few things hadn’t worked – otherwise they would not have changed the manager – then you have an international break, injuries, re-injuries, and because of this other players are having to play. I am not David Copperfield. It is not about making things change and everything is OK. It is about work. I feel completely in the right place. I feel good, I like to work and I am still learning about everything.

“Of course I am disappointed with a few results and performances but I am positive and surprised by a few other performances. The players have shown me what is possible, sometimes for the team, sometimes for the individual.

“If it was easy, everyone could do it. That is clear. I never chose my jobs. The first job they gave me at Mainz because it was better than having me as a player! I am strong enough to handle pressure for a lot of people around me. I am not in doubt about my qualities as a manager. I know about the game and the importance of working together. That’s it.

“Nobody wants to hear this. Everyone just wants to have results. That is no problem. We are not in a perfect position but we are in a good way. I have no problem getting a few knocks and having a few beautiful moments along the way. We are preparing for the future.”

Klopp’s confidence has been helped in the present by the return of Philippe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi from injury. But before Christian Benteke’s return to Villa for the first time since his £32.5m transfer to Liverpool, the manager admits the striker’s self-belief has been affected by problems in front of goal. Benteke has not scored in 11 appearances for Liverpool, with his last goal coming at Sunderland on 30 December.

“In parts it was much better at West Ham because he was in a lot of situations,” added Klopp. “He had opportunities and he was reacting on the ball and had opportunities after set pieces. He was safer with the ball, but when you miss a chance it is not like it would be usually because you are thinking: ‘Still it didn’t change.’

“Of course in the end you will lose confidence or you will be a very silly person if something doesn’t work all the time like you are used to and you don’t. He is waiting for all his skills to come back but we speak about it like it is an illness. It is not. It is a situation and you can solve the problem on the pitch or in training or both.”