Use your head like Sadio and subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

It was a proper derby performance – combative and passionate.

If Liverpool follow Jurgen Klopp's lead then Sunday's Merseyside derby at Anfield should be one to cherish.

A fiery Klopp came out swinging at Melwood on Friday afternoon when it was put to him that something was “missing” from this Reds team.

In particular the conversation centred on the lack of creativity from midfield. It's been a topic of debate all season and it went back to the top of the pile after Liverpool's midweek defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

The Reds produced a spirited fightback after a damaging start in the French capital, but for all their endeavour they managed just a single shot on target – the penalty that James Milner fired past Gianluigi Buffon.

It wasn't a one off. Liverpool failed to score and created precious little in the defeats away to Napoli and Red Star Belgrade.

(Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

In four-and-a-half hours of football on their travels in Europe this term the Reds haven't found the net from open play. It's a far cry from last season's run to Kiev when they were ruthless and relentless.

That firepower is still there but they need players to provide the ammunition.

Klopp went for experience and solidity in Paris with the midfield trio of Jordan Henderson, Milner and Gini Wijnaldum. But they couldn't handle that early onslaught and then offered little in an attacking sense when Liverpool were chasing the game.

Klopp was clearly irked by the line of questioning at Melwood in the wake of that contest.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

“I don't see any problems in midfield,” Klopp insisted. “I get constantly confronted with the question – something is missing. Creating is not a problem.”

It was put to him that Liverpool are lacking a midfielder capable of linking with the frontline - like the injured Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

“Bringing one player in would change everything? That is bull**** and you all know that. One player doesn't change everything,” he said.

On the one hand, Klopp's frustration is understandable considering where Liverpool stand domestically.

This is the club's best start to a top-flight season since 1990 so a sense of perspective is important.

He's also right when he talks about how it's “logical” that by tightening Liverpool up defensively they were always going to lose “a bit of fluency” going forward. They are taking fewer risks as a team.

(Image: Liverpool FC YouTube)

What Klopp has achieved in making Liverpool more resolute shouldn't be overlooked. It's not just down to the acquisition of elite talents like Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk.

That organisation is the result of countless hours on the training ground. Conceding just five goals in their opening 13 league games is unprecedented in the club's 126-year history.

But Klopp is wrong if he thinks that fans and reporters are picking fault for argument's sake.

They aren't. They just see an area of the team which isn't functioning at its best and they know that more is needed if the Reds are serious about keeping pace with Manchester City.

Liverpool's backline and frontline are settled and top-class but in between them there is uncertainty.

What is the best combination? Three-and-a-half months into the season Klopp is still seeking to get the balance right.

In the Premier League, Milner is the only Reds midfielder to have provided an assist.

Liverpool spent a combined total of £95million on summer signings Naby Keita and Fabinho but they are clearly still trying to earn the manager's trust.

Keita has been hampered by injuries and hasn't started in the Premier League since September, while Fabinho only has three league starts under his belt. They have both needed time to adjust.

It will be intriguing to see what team Klopp fields on Sunday. The most likely move is that he goes back to 4-2-3-1 with Xherdan Shaqiri, who he classes as an attacker rather than a midfielder, positioned on the right.

Who fills the two spots in the centre of midfield? It will be two from Wijnaldum, Milner, Fabinho and Keita.

What a stage for one of the new boys to step up and deliver and truly launch their Liverpool careers.

Klopp should his head vigorously when asked if he felt that his midfield was the weak link. That might sound harsh when you're talking about a team which has 33 points out of 39 but it's undoubtedly the department where there's most room for improvement.