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Tag: Juergen Klopp

  • Liverpool must be close to perfection next season, Klopp says

    Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp on Sunday hailed his team for their “unbelievable season” but said they would need to be “very, very close to perfection” next season.

    The German said perfection would be needed if they were to go one better next term and beat Manchester City to the English Premier League (EPL) title.

    Liverpool ended the campaign with a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on Sunday.

    But with Manchester City winning 4-1 at Brighton & Hove Albion, Klopp’s side’s 97-point haul was only being good enough for runners-up spot.

    The German said his team, beaten only once in the Premier League campaign, would be ready for another challenge next season.

    But he added that he did not expect any drop off from the Abu-Dhabi-owned Manchester City.

    “As long as Manchester City are around with the quality they have, the power, the financial power and that stuff, then it’s not any other team that will pass them easily. That’s clear,” said Klopp.

    “So, we need to be very, very, close to perfection to win the Premier League as long as this is the case,” he added.

    Read also: Firmino unlikely to face Barca, says Klopp

    Klopp, who took over at Liverpool in 2015, said he was sure that this season, for all his team’s progress, was by no means the best it could get for the Merseyside club.

    “We have made unbelievable big steps and I expect more to come. What that means in the end I don’t know,” he said.

    Liverpool have not been English champions in the Premier League era, which began in 1992/1993, with their last triumph coming back in 1990 in the days of the old “First Division”.

    “People will tell us now that it is 30 years or whatever but they have bigger problems to be honest, the people who say that, or the clubs who say that. We will go again,” said Klopp.

    He suggested this was the first real title bid the Anfield club had made since he took charge.

    The German also noted that as well as their points tally they had also fought to reach the Champions League final, where they face Tottenham Hotspur on June 1.

    “This year we tried for the first time (to win the Premier League title) and I really think that it was quite impressive for the first time.

    “On this road, to qualify for the finals of the Champions League, it is pretty special.

    “This team is one of the best that ever played for Liverpool, 100 per cent. But we play in a league with other very good teams. That is what we must accept, and we do accept. No problem.

    “We will go again, but give me a few hours to get over that today,” he added.

    “We feel it. It is disappointing, it is not a wonderful moment. But we (will) have enough time to see and feel how brilliant the season was.

    “It was brilliant, 97 points is incredible and only because Manchester City are there (that) it is not enough.

    “In any other country it would have been easily enough. But that is how it is, no problem. That is the competition we are in, it is not the competition of 30, 20, 10 years ago. It is completely different.”(Reuters/NAN)

  • Liverpool prepared me for elite level, says Barcelona’s Suarez

    Barcelona striker Luis Suarez thanked former club Liverpool for raising the standard of his game during a three-and-a-half-year spell at Merseyside, but the Uruguayan is focused on knocking them out of the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday.

    Suarez was crowned PFA player of the year in the 2013/14 campaign for leading Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge, before they were edged out by Manchester City.

    The 32-year-old, who joined Barcelona in 2014, said before the second leg at Anfield that he only had fond memories of his time in England.

    “The reason I’m playing at Barcelona, at the elite level, is because of Liverpool,” Suarez, who scored in Barcelona’s 3-0 first leg victory last week, told reporters on Monday.

    “Being at Liverpool helped me in so many ways, it made me more professional, it helped me mature. Having players here with great experience allowed me to be even better.

    Read Also: Suarez seals Arsenal loan switch

    “Being captain of Liverpool was one of the proudest moments of my career… its special having enjoyed a number of good years here. I’ll always be thankful to Liverpool because of the heritage they have. I have lovely memories of my time here.”

    Suarez said that he had no intention of celebrating if he scored at Anfield.

    “Celebrating the goal last week, people know the importance of scoring in a Champions League semi-final,” Suarez added. “I have all the respect for Liverpool fans, I’m thankful to them and if I score, I won’t celebrate it in the same way.

    “If I score tomorrow it will mean I can feel relaxed and Liverpool have to score more to qualify.”

    Suarez is well aware of the atmosphere at Anfield and warned his team mates not to step off the gas against Juergen Klopp’s side, who were runners-up last season.

    “We don’t have to be complacent entering into this tie. The result doesn’t tell the story; they created a lot of chances. It could have been 4-1 or 3-1,” Suarez said.

    “We played one of our best games of the season last week even though they had opportunities. Now we have to play better as we’ll face a really difficult atmosphere.

    “They have an added extra here — the fans, the 12th man. It’s like an extra player.”

    NAN

     

  • Sigurdsson: in-form Everton are confident of good show

    Everton’s ability to grind out results has boosted their confidence ahead of Sunday’s Merseyside derby against Liverpool in the English Premier League, midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson said on Thursday.

    Iceland international Sigurdsson scored the winning goal as Everton overcame promoted Cardiff City 1-0 last Saturday.

    The victory helped them to extend their unbeaten league run to three games and climb to sixth in the table on 22 points.

    “I think all the boys have been looking forward to the derby since the start of the season and that feeling has grown with the performances we have been putting together over the past couple of months,” Sigurdsson told the club’s website.

    Read Also: Everton must prepare to win ugly, Sigurdsson says

    “The team is playing really well and getting results and we are grinding out wins when we’re not playing our best football.”

    Victory over Cardiff followed a determined display at Stamford Bridge, where Everton held title contenders Chelsea to a goalless draw earlier this month.

    “We can take confidence from the way we played at Chelsea. That was a good result,” Sigurdsson, who has scored six goals this season, added.

    Liverpool come into the 232nd meeting with their city rivals on the back of a 2-1 defeat by French side Paris St Germain in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.

    Juergen Klopp’s side are unbeaten in the league, however, and sit second on 33 points, two behind leaders Manchester City.

    They go into the match having not lost to Everton at Anfield since 1999.

    “Sunday is another big game for us, we want to make it a good one and we’ll be ready for the challenge,” Sigurdsson said.

  • Mourinho in focus again as English Premier League returns

    When Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho returns on Saturday to Stamford Bridge to face former club Chelsea, much would not have changed about him regarding his recent comments.

    He had said “it’s not about me” after his team’s thrilling comeback win over Newcastle United, but this is unlikely to be heeded this time.

    Mourinho’s words, spoken after united fans chanted his name in appreciation of the 3-2 victory, may have reflected weariness at the constant focus on his position at Old Trafford.

    But the spotlight will unavoidably be on the Portuguese again.

    The manner of United’s win, with three goals in the final 20 minutes of all-out attacking football, has raised the question of whether he will change.

    The change is for him to embrace a more positive style of play.

    Nothing in Mourinho’s history suggests that is likely and the prospect of facing Maurizio Sarri’s in-form team at Stamford Bridge is a strong deterrent against a cavalier approach.

    Second-placed Chelsea are unbeaten, level on points with champions Manchester City and challengers Liverpool and with their Belgian forward Eden Hazard in scintillating form they will start as clear favourites.

    Manchester United is already seven points behind the leading trio, having lost to Brighton and Hove Albion and West Ham United on the road and Tottenham Hotspur at home.

    Read Also: Mourinho deserves respect for being ‘real’ – Lukaku

    Surely, Mourinho will be keen to ensure they avoid defeat in west London.

    Chelsea has not lost at home to United since October 2012, losing just two of the 16 meetings between the two since then.

    Mourinho has suffered four defeats in six games against his former club since taking over at United.

    But, as he reminded the media in his recent demand for more “respect”, Mourinho won three Premier League titles in his two spells as Chelsea manager.

    The former Porto and Real Madrid boss has never been afraid to play defensively when visiting top rivals.

    So, for all the hope that he might try to replicate the ‘gung-ho’ second half display against Newcastle United, it would be no surprise if he were to revert to type on Saturday.

    Manchester City will expect to pick up three points at home to a Burnley side that will feature former City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

    City has not lost at home to the Clarets since 1963 and has lost once in their last 19 meetings in all competitions.

    Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp will also be expecting maximum points when he faces off with close friend David Wagner as the Reds travel to Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

    Huddersfield is 18th in the table, have yet to win during this campaign and have managed to score only four goals.

    Fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur visit London rivals West Ham on Saturday while in-form Arsenal host Leicester on Monday looking for a 10th successive victory in all competitions.

    Sunday’s game features Everton at home to Crystal Palace.

  • Liverpool’s Van Dijk faces fitness test ahead of Chelsea clash

    Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk faces a fitness test ahead of Wednesday’s League Cup clash with Chelsea, although fellow defender Dejan Lovren is available, manager Juergen Klopp said on Tuesday.

    Van Dijk sustained a knock to an earlier rib injury and was substituted in the second half of Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Southampton on Saturday.

    It was a result that left the early Premier League pace-setters with six wins from as many games.

    “He is much better. It’s still a bit painful, nothing else,” Klopp told reporters ahead of the League Cup third round clash at Anfield.

    “We will see how we deal with that. It’s not too serious, but it’s not anything, so that needs to settle for sure.

    “We will see how he is today and make a decision about him.”

    If Van Dijk is ruled out, the experienced Lovren could fill in, as the Croatian had shaken off a pelvic injury.

    Read Also: Van Dijk ready to spur Liverpool to silverware

    The 29-year-old has not played this season after aggravating an earlier pelvic injury during Croatia’s World Cup final march in Russia in July.

    “Dejan looks quite good. He trained completely normal now four times. He worked with the fitness guys before that for 10 days. He looks ready,”Klopp added.

    Klopp said first choice goalkeeper Alisson would be rested with Simon Mignolet taking his place.

    The German, however, said he would field a strong side against Maurizio Sarri’s team.

    “It’s a difficult draw for both teams. It’s not that you think the first two-three rounds you go through somehow, and from the semis on it starts getting exciting…

    “It’s a home game against a very strong side, so it’ll be really interesting.”

    Liverpool returns to Premier League action on Saturday, when they face Chelsea for the second time this week, away at Stamford Bridge.

  • Klopp defends Salah, says Firmino fit to face Chelsea

    Liverpool Manager Juergen Klopp says he has no concern over Egypt striker Mohamed Salah’s form, ahead of Saturday’s match against Chelsea.

    Salah has not scored in his last three Liverpool outings and some observers have suggested he looks short of full fitness and sharpness.

    The former AS Roma forward has scored twice in five games — just one fewer than at this stage last season.

    “Wow, that’s a crisis,” joked Klopp who went on to outline his satisfaction with Salah’s contributions to what has been a 100 per cent start to the campaign for Liverpool.

    “On the defensive side the last two games he was outstanding, perfect, and it is so important in these games especially.

    Read Also: Klopp expects problems despite Liverpool’s perfect start

    “So that says everything about him: that he is really ready to work for the team in these moments. “It is a completely normal situation for an offensive player that they have times when they don’t score.

    “But he is still a threat, has fantastic situations in both games and he is in a good shape,” said Klopp.

    Salah suffered a shoulder injury in the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid which hampered him during the World Cup and he is still wearing some strapping around the area.

    “The most important thing is physically he is in a very good shape, which helps,”said Klopp.

    “Salah is really ready to work for the team and it is a normal situation to have times where you don’t score,” added the German.

    “He is just taking his time this year, just like he did last season.”

    Firmino started as substitute due to an eye injury he picked up in last week’s win against Spurs at Wembley but that appears to have healed quickly.

    “Yes, he is ready… so far there is no reason to think about Bobby, it’s about thinking about how we can line up in general differently,” said the former Dortmund manager.

    Daniel Sturridge started against PSG in place of Firmino and scored the opening goal as part of an impressive return to the side.

    “It’s just positive the impact Daniel had (against PSG).

    “It was an intense game; it was a fantastic game from him, to be honest.

    “So that’s the best news and so now we know more about that,” said Klopp, who suggested the English forward could also play alongside Firmino in the future.

    “There are a lot of games to come and these two boys can play together as well — they did in the past, by the way, and they can do it again,” he said.

  • Impressive Liverpool seek Wembley redemption

    Liverpool will not have happy memories of their last visit to Wembley Stadium and will head south with a point to prove against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

    Eleven months ago Juergen Klopp’s side were swept aside 4-1 by a rampant Tottenham leading to a bout of navel-gazing that, as it transpired, helped transform Liverpool’s season.

    The defensive lapses that undermined them that day were soon eradicated, the goals began to flow and with the addition of central defender Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in January, Liverpool became a force to be reckoned with.

    The damage had already been done though and, just like every other contender, they never got anywhere near a Manchester City side that strolled to the English Premier League title.

    They did reach the Champions League final and have continued the momentum into the new campaign, topping the table with four wins from four, scoring nine goals and conceding one.

    Tottenham began with three wins but slipped up in their last game before the international break, losing 2-1 at Watford who are surprise joint-leaders.

    Early in the season it may be, but the lunchtime clash will offer a pointer as to which club can push on and make a credible challenge to a City side who host Fulham.

    Read Also: Milner, Mane secure victory for Liverpool at Palace

    Tottenham’s starting line-up will be similar to the one that started last year’s fixture after the London club bucked the trend by spending nothing in the transfer window.

    Liverpool, on the other hand, splashed out in the region of 160 million pounds on the likes of Naby Keita, versatile Brazilian Fabinho, Brazil keeper Alisson and Swiss playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri from relegated Stoke City.

    The Merseysiders have lost only one of their last 11 Premier League meetings against Tottenham but were also frustrated by them in a 2-2 draw at Anfield last season when Harry Kane scored a last-gasp penalty equaliser.

    There is an edge between the clubs and Klopp knows three points on Saturday would send out a message of intent.

    Defeat for Tottenham in a fixture that was supposed to be the christening of their new stadium will lead to further scrutiny of the decision to trust the same players that have achieved three successive top-three finishes but no silverware.

    Watford’s best-ever start to a top-flight season will be put to the test as they take on a Manchester United side without striker Marcus Rashford, who was sent off in their morale-boosting win against Burnley.

    Chelsea, who have quietly gone about their business under new manager Maurizio Sarri, are also 100 percent after four games and will relish a home clash against Cardiff City.

    While Liverpool’s outlay on new players has, so far, proved beneficial, the same cannot be said of West Ham United.

    The London club bolstered their squad with nearly 100 million pounds worth of new signings for incoming manager Manuel Pellegrini, but are pointless after four games.

    Things do not get any easier either with West Ham away to Everton on Sunday.

  • Watford’s Gracia named Premier League manager of the month

    Watford Manager Javi Gracia has been named August’s Premier League manager of the month after guiding the club to a winning start this season.

    Watford recorded three wins out of three in August, beating Brighton and Hove Albion, Burnley and Crystal Palace.

    “I am very pleased. “We are enjoying (it). You never know what will happen,” Gracia told the Premier League website on Friday.

    “Don’t look only at the end of the road. Try to enjoy day by day. Try to enjoy the very good atmosphere; the workers who are helping us, the supporters in all the games are amazing.

    Read Also: EPL: Watford’s late goals stun 10-man Chelsea

    “I think altogether we can achieve very good things.”

    Their 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend ensured Gracia’s side are the first in the club’s history to record four straight wins at the start of a top-flight campaign.

    It is Gracia’s first Premier League manager of the month award and the second to be won by a Watford boss after Quique Sanchez Flores in December 2015.

    He beat Liverpool’s Juergen Klopp, Spurs’ Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri to the award.

    Watford is one of the three Premier League teams with a 100 per cent record this season, alongside Liverpool and Chelsea.

  • Milner can play until he is 38 – Klopp

    Liverpool Manager, Juergen Klopp, believes midfielder, James Milner, is capable of playing until he is 38.

    The 32-year-old Milner has been one of the standout performers of Liverpool’s opening two games and is in line to play against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.

    The Premier League’s joint leaders are seeking a third consecutive victory from the start of the season — a feat they have only achieved, four times since 1990.

    “If you’re 32 in any company in the world, they tell you to wait a few years until you can get a real job.

    “In football, it sounds like they’re close to retirement,’’ said Klopp.

    “But our players can play until 38 and I’m sure he’s one of them if he can keep free of injuries.

    “I didn’t work with Milner (when he was younger) but he is always good since I worked with him.

    “His desire to keep free of injuries is exceptional.’’

    Milner, who is teetotal, has been playing top-flight football for half his life, making his debut as a 16-year-old for Leeds United.

    He went on to make 500 league appearances and winning 61 caps for England before announcing his international retirement.

    Klopp now has a wealth of options in midfield, with new signing Naby Keita impressing in his opening games and Jordan Henderson yet to start.

    The German knows he has to rein in rising expectations this season when Liverpool are tipped to provide Manchester City with their main title threat.

    Yet, he warned, they will have to be at their best against Brighton, who will be boosted by last week’s 3-2 win over Manchester United.

    “They are a really good team and I respect a lot what Chris (Hughton) is doing there, not just the Man United game.

    “They’re very good, organised and on point. United had chances for a much better result but we are warned. We have to be 100 per cent.’’

    Klopp also paid tribute to Sadio Mane, who is outscoring teammate Mohamed Salah this season with three goals from his opening two games.

    “He plays his third season here. He has constantly improved. We really knew we would get a good player,’’ he said.

    “Did we know exactly how he’s good? I wouldn’t say so. He’s stepped it up. He’s a very nice person. That’s it.

    “All the others benefit from good players around but we can still improve and so can Sadio, but his consistency is quite impressive.’’

    Klopp also said he expected centre-half, Dejan Lovren, to remain out until after next month’s international break.

    “There were no new developments on keeper Loris Karius’s expected move to Besiktas,’’ he added

  • Klopp praises Salah for keeping grounded

    Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has praised Mohamed Salah for keeping his feet on the ground during his record-breaking Premier League season.

    The 25-year-old Egypt international scored his 32nd league goal of the season asMohamed Salah wound up their campaign with a 4-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday.

    Salah’s tally is a new record for a 38-game Premier League campaign, eclipsing the previous mark of 31 achieved by Luis Suarez, Alan Shearer and Cristiano Ronaldo.

    “The last few weeks were really difficult for him,” Klopp told Sky Sports.

    Read Also:  Salah: Breath of fresh air

    “Imagine everyone telling you how brilliant you are, or they give you an Oscar for this, an award for that, an award for getting out of car without having an accident.

    “Staying on track in a season like this, it’s really difficult, he’s still a young boy and I am really happy with how he dealt with it.”

    Salah has scored 44 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions this season, and will get the chance to add to that tally when Liverpool face Real Madrid in the Champions League final on May 26.

    NAN