Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that his side's trip to Barcelona was designed to give his players a change of sceneryfollowing their 4-3 loss at Bournemouth.
The Reds strolled into an early lead at Bournemouth but capitulated in the second-half, with goals from Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser, Steve Cook and Nathan Ake condemning Klopp's side to a second Premier League defeat of the season.
Klopp and Liverpool first-team players were pictured at Barcelona's Champions League game with Borussia Monchengladbach and, writing in ˜This is Anfield' as quoted byLiverpool's official club website, Klopp states the change of environment will help his players as they gear up for a vital period over the next month.
After the game the team and staff flew to Barcelona for a training break. I'm not sure what you would call this; I have seen ˜team bonding' and other phrases used like ˜warm weather training'.I suppose these descriptions are fair," Klopp revealed.
"What we did was take the players away so they could have some time in a different environment. They enjoyed an evening together, but the rest of the time was training and being a ˜team' away from Melwood.
"Of course Melwood is our headquarters of football but a change of environment and scenery is also a good thing.
"The training was excellent and although ˜warm weather' might be over-stating the temperatures it was certainly a few degrees higher than England and Merseyside.
That is absolutely clear is that our focus today will be back on West Ham United and our only thoughts are on trying to win this game.�
Liverpool will hope to stay in touch with Premier League leaders Chelsea when they take on West Ham on Sunday.