LONDON • Jurgen Klopp has insisted his team are driven in their pursuit of the Premier League title by the pain of last season's Champions League final and not a slip-up against Chelsea five years ago.
Dismissing any link between today's crucial fixture at Anfield and Chelsea's visit at a similar stage of the 2013-14 season, when a 2-0 defeat derailed their title ambitions, the Liverpool manager feels "it is not important to talk about what happened as it is too long ago".
The 3-1 defeat by Real Madrid in Kiev last May, however, is still fresh in the memory, with Klopp admitting their determination to make amends has been a factor in their title tilt this term.
Ahead of today's match - his 200th fixture in charge - he said: "We have enough reasons to be positive about ourselves. This season, it was already different when we came back because of the negative things we experienced ourselves in the last game of last season.
"The boys did really good so far and that is why we are still in the fight for the championship. That has nothing to do with other games.
"There will be nervy moments, difficulties in the game, but in this moment, we all looked ready for dealing with it and that is why I am happy with that."
2012
The last time Chelsea lost at Anfield (4-1). It is Liverpool's longest home run without winning against any opponent in the Premier League.
His team's growing "maturity" in the run-in can also be seen in the intensity of Liverpool's recent displays, with Klopp attributing their step-up to his players "using each fibre as it is the last part of the season and in the last 100m, you go with all you have".
The German said: "What I really want to ask for is that all of us are in a real fighting mood, all at Anfield and whoever is in front of the TV, in a proper aggressive, positive mood. Go for whatever we can go for."
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, one of the few survivors from the 2013-14 squad, echoed his boss' assertion that what happened five years ago had little bearing on this campaign, with Klopp's men faring far better in defence compared with Brendan Rodgers' team.
The England midfielder, who missed that game due to suspension, added: "We still had that belief when we were going for the title a few years ago, but the biggest difference is the clean sheets and defensive record. That season, we conceded quite a few goals though we might have been winning games. We weren't as strong as we would have liked to have been."
However, Klopp conceded that Chelsea, who are unbeaten in their last eight visits to Liverpool in all competitions and whose last league defeat on Merseyside dates back to 2012, are "in a good moment".
He added: "From the first second, we have to be a completely different opponent to all the others they have faced in recent weeks."
But, while Maurizio Sarri's players will be hopeful of extending their fine record at Anfield - Liverpool's longest winless run against an opponent - they will be wary of the home team riding the crest of a wave of emotion.
Not only will there be a tribute to the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster, a day before its 30th anniversary, but the crowd will also be paying their respects to former captain Tommy Smith, who died on Friday at the age of 74.
Calling him an "icon", pundit and former teammate Phil Thompson told Sky Sports: "Liverpool owe this guy a debt of gratitude. He drove the team, he was incredible."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, THE GUARDIAN
LIVERPOOL V CHELSEA
Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, 11.30pm
Just days after Italy saw Moise Kean become its youngest scorer in over 60 years, Sampdoria striker Fabio Quagliarella set a new mark on the other end of age range
Quagliarella becomes oldest Italy scorer | The Daily Star
Life Cycle Of Stars study guide by Hammertaf includes 10 questions covering vocabulary, terms and more. Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades.
West Ham United's U23s will have extra motivation to beat London rivals Arsenal at London Stadium on Friday in Premier League 2, according to midfielder Conor Coventry. The Hammers were overcome 1-0 by Derby County on Monday in their penultimate Division 1 game of the campaign, and will be looking
Motivator (horse) - Wikipedia
Champions League final: Jurgen Klopp reveals Pep Guardiola called him to congratulate Liverpool on beating Spurs Manchester City manager was one of the first to congratulate Klopp following the 2-0 victory over Tottenham in Madrid after their season-long Premier League battle Load more
Liverpoolfc-blog (@LFC_Blog) | Twitter
LeBron James-less Los Angeles Lakers compete, but Utah Jazz end their two-game winning streak on second night of back-to-back situation.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Malcom shines in Lionel Messi's absence as Philippe Coutinho struggles he remained at Liverpool and made himself the star of Jurgen Klopp's team. Instead he chose a
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Malcom shines in Lionel Messi's
Home Sport Football Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga dropped as Chelsea beat Tottenham Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga dropped as Chelsea beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0. By. News Agency of Nigeria
Football: Arrizabalaga dropped as Chelsea beat Tottenham 2-0
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp says his team have shown they are mentally equipped to handle a title run-in, having acquitted themselves well in high-pressure situations over the past few years.
Klopp dismisses talk of Liverpool crumbling under pressure
Taking his seat 15 hours after the madness, Mauricio Pochettino still appeared to be coming to terms with Tottenham's dramatic European progress. 'We are all tired,' he said with a grin
Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham Hotspur Project Must Continue
Once again Amazon has been caught in a controversy, this time over selling toilet seat covers and other items with images of Hindu gods on its marketplace platform. According to a report published in Reuters, several items like toilet seat covers, yoga mats, sneakers, rugs and other items depicting Hindu gods, or sacred Hindu symbols were
Daya Nayak courts controversy yet again - YouTube
Jermain Defoe insists his goalscoring ability is a gift from God after signing an 18-month loan deal with Rangers.. The Bournemouth striker will join up with his new Light Blue team-mates on the
Football: Italy upset Australia at Women's World Cup with Bonansea double; As Canarinhas thump Reggae Girlz. 1 day ago. VALENCIENNES, France (REUTERS, THE GUARDIAN) - Barbara Bonansea scored twice to give Italy a surprise, last-gasp 2-1 victory against Australia in their opening Group C game at the women's football World Cup on Sunday (June
Bonansea fires Italy to last-gasp comeback win over Australia
Football: Bologna earn Serie A survival in six-goal Lazio thriller Bologna's Andrea Poli (left) celebrates with teammate Riccardo Orsolini after scoring his side's first goal against Lazio during
Football: Bologna earn 'miracle' Serie A survival in six-goal
European football governing body UEFA said Friday that the correct anti-racism protocol had not been followed during the Italian league game between Inter Milan and Napoli midweek amid repeated
UEFA says anti-racism protocol not followed in Koulibaly case
Revived Dutch ready for 'big things', Football News & Top
0 comments:
Post a Comment