SPARTAK ATTACK ATTACK
Draw would be good enough to put Reds through but for Klopp there’s only one way to play: It’s all or nothing
FOR those who question Liverpool’s resolve under pressure, Jurgen Klopp’s words before their date with Champions League destiny must have come as a surprise.
Bring on the pressure, the ebullient German said, making no attempt to play down the importance of tonight’s showdown with Spartak Moscow at Anfield, where winner takes all and loser skulks out of the competition.
For a team that seemed to buckle under the pressure of a Sevilla fightback from 3-0 down in the last round of matches, that is something of a bold statement, but then the Reds boss has genuine faith in his side’s development.
He also has faith in their ability to put any opponent under pressure with their lightning-quick attack.
There have been hiccups along the way, he explained, but in all the big games on the journey towards the knock-out stages – a destination Liverpool haven’t reached for almost nine years – they have shown strength and resolve under pressure.
“There is pressure because we are going for something big – that is what make-or-break means,” he said.
“But we had that pressure against Middlesbrough at the end of last season and Hoffenheim in the play-off round and we handled it well – now we have to do it again.
“Spartak are a good side. They have one more game and then a three-months break. They have their targets and we have ours. We don’t want to make it any more important but it is big. All the good and bad things that have happened in the Champions League – mostly good – have brought us to this situation. If we win we are through, and that is cool!”
Klopp acknowledges “a lot of people might think we should be already through”, but he prefers to see the game against the Russian giants as another opportunity for his young team to
gain experience in the games that matter. And he believes the biggest opportunity will be for his squad to show just how far they have come in their development, to demonstrate that they can truly rival some of the Champions League’s biggest hitters this season.
Reaching the knock-out stages is something the Reds haven’t come close to in almost a decade and, when it was pointed out that would be real progress in itself, Klopp agreed – but only because it means his side can go much further.
“I am not sure exactly when we last reached the knock-out round but it’s a long time,” he said.
“Now we have a big chance to get through to the last 16. If we do, then we have a chance to reach the next round but first we have to make it. “It is a tight group. We had some influence on that. We played good games and had good results but not enough points to go through already and now we have to finish the job.” For Klopp, whose side are one point clear at the top of Group E, there will be only one instruction to his side. Even though a draw would be enough for Liverpool to qualify, he will tell them to attack. “All or nothing usually means you can either win or lose,” said Klopp. “We know we can draw but this information is only useful for after the game. “We cannot play for that and we do not want to.”