DON’T LAUGH... WE CAN WIN IT!
Milner’s rallying cry for Euro glory
THE expected procession tonight will certainly not prove anything but there is a growing belief at Liverpool that they will have a big say in the battle for Champions League glory this season.
In some respects, manager Jurgen Klopp cannot win against Porto at Anfield, particularly given the five-goal cushion his side hold from the first leg. Victory is expected and anything less will be a disappointment.
The evidence of whether Liverpool’s adventurous style can topple the elite will come next month in the quarter-finals, even if Klopp and midfielder James Milner refused to look that far ahead yesterday.
Milner did, however, suggest Liverpool are ready to conquer anything put in front of them, a confidence deriving from Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane scoring 70 goals between them this season. They are a match for the most unyielding back lines.
‘We have proved over the last few years that we can beat anyone on our day,’ Milner said. ‘I think we are getting closer.
‘Moving forward we are an exciting team to watch. I think we are learning to manage games better than we have done in the past. That maturity is coming through.
‘At this stage of the tournament you need to have a belief that you can go on and win it.’
That tonight is almost a formality is testament to the ice-cold finishing in Portugal three weeks ago and, because of that, Adam Lallana could be handed a first start in two months.
Niggles and setbacks have blighted the midfielder since returning from a long-term thigh injury sustained in pre-season. He has looked bright off the bench in recent weeks and may be one who Klopp offers an opportunity to — even if the German claims not to be planning wholesale changes.
Klopp said: ‘We are in a moment in the league where we all have to deliver constantly. You have to show up or anything else leads to more problems. If we change anything it is for this game and not because we play Manchester United on Saturday.’
Lallana is itching to play. He has played 35 minutes in the last three Premier League games and knows he must kick on as Gareth Southgate scrutinises his options for the World Cup.
Klopp does not want to rush him back again, however. ‘Adam was an integral part of the team,’ Klopp said. ‘Life is about learning from your mistakes and we all have to learn. We made a mistake as he looked fit. So now we have to build with him. He is coming close.’
Klopp also revealed he has been impressed with the form of captain Jordan Henderson.
‘He knows what I think of him,’ Klopp said. ‘Can Jordan improve? Of course, he is young enough to do so. Is he a very strong player? Yes, 100 per cent. He had the most difficult job in England to replace Steven Gerrard as captain. Hopefully people don’t think about that any more.’