CALM ON YOU REDS
Klopp attempts to dampen expectations that Liverpool ready to reach the summit: ‘It will not be easy this season’
HE has bought the players, managed a nearperfect pre-season and raised his side’s belief to a full-power setting.
But Jurgen Klopp admits his biggest job on the eve of the new campaign is to dampen the hype, hysteria and expectation that Liverpool are on the brink of a defining season.
Die-hard Liverpudlians who have waited 28 years to see a Kop captain lift a trophy as league champions cannot help but sense that time is moving ever closer after a summer of clever, but big, spending.
“First of all I really hope our fans are in it with us, that they have an understanding,” says Klopp. “We’ve shown a lot of good things in the last few years but it was never for one second easy and it will not be easy this season.
“If we win a game, we win a game and must win the next game as well, not be celebrating anything as if it is decided.
“I really believe our fans are spot-on and know what is going on. It’s the people around us that are creating stories and I’m not interested in that.
“We’ve high expectations of ourselves but our situation hasn’t changed. Why should it?
“I do not see that United has got weaker, or City weaker. Tottenham have not sold a player and have stayed together.
“I think Arsenal and Chelsea will be stronger than last year. Everton obviously are pushing from behind and Wolves have shown they are not shy to spend money.
“The league will be difficult. It’s not about judging our situation and thinking, ‘Really good’. We need to be ready each week, not only for a few games. That is our challenge.
“When I speak about not having crazy expectations, if we keep the atmosphere within the club from last year we have a chance of a really big season and then we will see what happens.”
The way Liverpool ripped apart a more than decent Nap oli side 5-0 in their penultimate friendly before the campaign starts at the weekend is not going to help Klopp keep the lid on the optimism.
That made it six wins and one defeat and if the ominous statement of intent in front of a sell-out 51,512 crowd at the Aviva Stadium is a pointer then West Ham – visitors to Anfield on Sunday – better watch out.
Klopp reunited Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino for the first time since the Champions League Final in Kiev. And their threat helped catapult Liverpool into a fourth-minute lead through James Milner (left) – later led off with a head wound that needed 15 stitches.
Keeper Alisson – a big hit on his debut – started the move with a stunning 65-yard pass but midfielder Naby Keita caught the eye too.
Goals from Gini Wijnaldum (below left), Salah, Daniel Sturridge and Alberto Moreno completed the rout.