LONDON • Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes his team can put their chastening 3-0 Champions League semi-final first-leg defeat by Barcelona out of their minds and focus on winning today's crucial Premier League trip to Newcastle.
With the Reds trailing leaders Manchester City by a point heading into the final two league games of the season, the German insisted the mood in the dressing room did not need any lifting as "when you're in the race, you don't get tired".
He said yesterday: "We didn't need to pick players up in Barcelona (on Wednesday) and give them a hug. It's in us.
"If you want to win in football, you have to accept that you can lose. I had more positive thoughts about the game than negative because of what we did on the pitch.
"The boys are completely on fire. When you're in the race, you don't get tired.
"We are ambitious like hell. All we can do is beat Newcastle and that's unbelievably difficult, what other teams do on Monday night (when City play Leicester at home) isn't our problem.
"The performances in recent weeks have been brilliant. Now, we need to carry on like this."
His team are on a seven-match Premier League winning streak, scoring 20 goals and conceding just five. They are unbeaten in 15 matches and beat Newcastle 4-0 at Anfield on Boxing Day.
Klopp said with Naby Keita ruled out for the season, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is now back in full training after recently returning from a year-long injury absence, was in line for at least a place on the bench at St James' Park.
Guinea midfielder Keita suffered a ruptured tendon in his abductor against Barcelona, ruling him out for two months, a situation Klopp rued as "bad news for us".
However, Oxlade-Chamberlain has similar qualities, with his ability to make penetrating runs from deep. While Klopp refused to be drawn on whether the "brilliant" England midfielder was set to start his first game of the term, he confirmed he would be part of the travelling squad.
Asked about the possibility of a title play-off game, which would only occur if Liverpool and City ended the season level on points, goal difference and goals scored, Klopp admitted the scenario, while somewhat far-fetched, would "fit with the season, a big showdown at high noon somewhere".
He added: "Wow, I didn't think about that, to be honest. It would be cool but I don't think it's too likely."
For now, Klopp is not concerning himself with hypothetical situations as Newcastle are "pretty uncomfortable to play".
FIRED UP
The boys are completely on fire. When you're in the race, you don't get tired. We are ambitious like hell.
All we can do is beat Newcastle and that's unbelievably difficult...
JURGEN KLOPP, Liverpool manager.
And Magpies manager Rafa Benitez is not about to do his former side any favours despite "his relationship with Liverpool".
He is, however, winless in five previous league games against Liverpool (three draws, two losses).
The Spaniard, who retains the affection of most fans in the red half of Merseyside after leading them to their fifth European Cup in 2005, said he was "very clear about being professional and doing our job".
He added: "The fans know that you have to do what you have to do. I have friends at Liverpool, but also at City. We have 52,000 fans and we want to do it (secure the win).
"Everything about Liverpool now is that they are doing great. They are favourites but, if we do everything right, we have a chance."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
NEWCASTLE V LIVERPOOL
Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227,mtomorrow, 2.45am
SEEÂ :Â Klopp's Reds will not blink under pressure
Kane insists club rivalries will not split England camp 20/03/2019 Oman Observer LONDON: England captain Harry Kane insists the Three Lions' squad are too united to be divided by the tension of club rivalries surrounding the Premier League title race and upcoming Champions League ties.
Kane insists club rivalries will not split England camp
All eyes on Milan clash for Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri Made In Chelsea fans delight as original stars Millie Mackintosh and Caggie Dunlop reunite for a 30th but fume over 'wellness
Injury wrap: Big calls loom for Tigers ahead of huge clash
Solskjaer unimpressed as United ease past Reading in FA Cup. takes a shot but fails to score during the English FA Cup third round match against Reading at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Solskjaer unimpressed as United ease past Reading in Cup
Jürgen Klopp wants his European champions to "make the next step now and leave a big mark". UEFA Champions League - Klopp warns Europe: 'This is still only the start' - News the Reds had
Klopp warns Liverpool's rivals that Champions League glory is
Jan Poulsen occupies the position of Chief Executive Officer for thinkstep AG and Sales Director at Lyngsoe Systems A. In the past Mr. Poulsen was President of Luca, Inc. He received an undergraduate degree from the University of Aarhus.
Wow air issue 1 13 by WOW_air - Issuu
Hariss Harun insists Home United have proved they can more than match Albirex Niigata (S) ahead of this week's Singapore Cup semifinal over two legs.
Hariss Harun says Home United can beat Albirex in Singapore
SINGAPORE - Ikhsan Fandi's rich vein of scoring form continues as the Singapore striker found the net in his third consecutive match for second-tier Norwegian club Raufoss IL in just 11 days..
Ikhsan Fandi scores first competitive goal for Norwegian club
Virgil van Dijk says fans can boo him all they want as the Liverpool and Holland defender does not care a jot.. The PFA Player of the Year won the Champions League at the start of the month but was unable to follow it up with further silverware in the Nations League.
Carra puts Messi ahead of Van Dijk in Ballon d'Or race
Football: Man City come from two goals down to reach FA Cup last four LONDON (REUTERS) - Premier League leaders Manchester City recovered from two goals down to beat Championship side Swansea City 3-2 at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday (March 16) to progress to the FA Cup semi-finals.
Man City come from two goals down to reach FA Cup last four
Football News - EPL MAN UNITED And the United manager suggested that their own failures in management make them unqualified to offer such views. Mourinho reveals fragile ego of mystery Man
Jose Mourinho rejects first managerial offer since Manchester
In the dying minutes of Iran´s 3-0 defeat to Japan on Monday, striker Sardar Azmoun slapped Japan midfielder Gaku Shibasaki in the face, sparking a melee that also involved his teammates Ehsan
Call in Iran for footballers to be punished over Japan melee
SINGAPORE - The Football Association of Singapore unveiled Joe Palatsides as its new technical director at a press conference at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday (May 2). The 53-year-old Australian worked at A-League club Melbourne City from 2012 before he resigned last month as the assistant coach of the senior team.
Jan Poulsen, Chief Executive Officer at thinkstep AG
Former England star Wayne Rooney scored three goals on Saturday night to lead DC United to a crushing 5-0 victory over Real Salt Lake. Rooney bags first MLS hat-trick in DC romp.
Watch: Rooney bags first MLS hat trick in DC United romp
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen