Klopp recharging Liverpool fans

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said he was not on a mission to "change football" after a 1-1 Europa League draw with 10-man Rubin Kazan in his first home game on Thursday.

Klopp's appointment as the successor to Brendan Rodgers has generated huge optimism among Liverpool fans, who hope he will transform their club the same way he rejuvenated Borussia Dortmund.

But after a 0-0 draw at Tottenham Hotspur in his first game, his new side failed to break down Rubin at Anfield on Thursday and while he drew encouragement from his players' efforts in pursuit of victory, he sought to downplay the hype that has surrounded his arrival.

Asked by a journalist if he felt like he was "on a special mission" to save English soccer's soul, the charismatic German replied with a smile: "The ambassador of romantic football? No, I don't think about that.

"Because I don't think at this moment I should come here and change the world of football. I'm not strong enough, not smart enough.

"I'm here as a manager of a football club, one of the best in the world. Now we have to develop our game so our supporters can enjoy our game a little bit more in the future.

"But I think tonight they had moments they could enjoy. They had moments where the players brought their whole hearts on the pitch. That's what everybody wants. It was not boring. I don't think anyone wanted to go home early.

"We tried our all, but at the end we didn't win. That's the thing. Maybe it wasn't the most world-changing game you ever saw."

Liverpool fell behind on a stylish goal by Marko Devic in the 15th minute, but Emre Can tied it up moments after visiting captain Oleg Kuzmin was sent off for a second bookable offence.

However, despite playing with a man extra for 54 minutes, the Reds failed to score a winning goal, with substitute Christian Benteke coming closest with a low shot that came back off the post.

It was Liverpool's third consecutive 1-1 draw in Group B, leaving it four points below leader FC Sion, and meant it has won only once inside 90 minutes in its last 11 matches.

"Sometimes it's a big advantage against 10 men, but most of the time it's a pretty thankless job," Klopp told his post-match media conference.

"We had our moments. We hit the post with Christian, we had some other moments, good chances. At the end, no goal. So I would say 98 percent OK - not perfect, but OK - and two percent, the decisive bit, we missed."

Belgian striker Benteke came through the last 27 minutes unscathed after sitting out five games with a hamstring injury, while Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino made his return after being sidelined for four games with a back problem.

With Daniel Sturridge rested as a precaution after taking a knock to the knee in training, it means Klopp will have a much deeper pool of forwards to call upon for Sunday's visit of Southampton.