DON’T WRECK IT
Klopp pleads for peace at Rome semi
JURGEN KLOPP is worried by the possibility of violence ruining Liverpool’s Champions League semi- final and urged Rome’s authorities to be extra vigilant.
The two clubs could not have done any more in terms of promoting a message for peace since their first meeting, with the Serie A side wearing T- shirts in training yesterday in tribute to Sean Cox, the Liverpool fan who was assaulted and critically injured outside Anfield last Tuesday.
Liverpool have extensively briefed the 5,000 travelling supporters about what areas of Rome to avoid but Klopp has admitted he is anxious about flashpoints occurring outside the Stadio Olimpico.
Klopp said: ‘I would have given a one-and - a- half- hour speech if I thought that somebody would listen to it — the right people would listen to it — about why it is important to behave in a right way, but
obviously that doesn’t really work. ‘I trust in the police, and all the other forces who do these things. ‘Me, I will prepare a football game and it is quite special because it is a semi-final. But I cannot imagine why somebody goes there and plans something around the football game. I don’t know why they have these thoughts and why they want to express themselves in these moments and have these little or bigger fights. ‘I have absolutely no tolerance for these things. ‘I really hope we are already over the mountain and people are a little bit more aware of what could happen and are responsible. ‘If somebody (misbehaves), then it should be really massive, the punishment.’ Klopp (left) added: ‘It was a great gesture (the T-shirts). ‘I hope everyone around the game in this wonderful city, with good weather, all the people can walk to the stadium and look forward to a fantastic, intense, very important football game. I really hope that will be possible.’ Roma manager Eusebio Di Francesco said: ‘I’m afraid that rotten apples are everywhere in all sets of fans. What I can say is that Roma fans are very passionate. ‘My appeal to the fans is to come and enjoy a sports festival.’ Klopp was questioned over the sudden departure of his assistant manager Zeljko Buvac, which was confirmed on Monday, but declined to comment.