EURO TALK’S HOFF LIMITS AT KOP

Klopp’s homing in on Hornets clash first

JURGEN KLOPP has ban- ished talk about Liverpool’s Champions League play-off before their Premier League kick-off next week.

The Reds open their campaign against Watford on Saturday before the first leg of their European playoff tie against Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim a week Tuesday.

Klopp (right) does not want his side to take their eyes off the league.

He held a meeting with his squad on Friday when the Champions League draw was ongoing and then they trained without even asking who they got.

It was only after the session that they discovered they would be facing Kop star Roberto Firmino’s former club.

“It’s no secret we want to play Champions League,” said Klopp.

“We are only looking at Watford. We go to Watford and I don’t know what we could do there to disappoint, like we could lose confidence.

“You can’t measure the importance of it. It’s the first game and then Hoffenheim is the second game.

“Some things could happen that we can’t avoid but we could leave players behind and then they could ® slip in the kitchen. You cannot do this. We will play 100 per cent.

“Maybe Watford will think we don’t have that mindset. It’s my job to make sure that does not happen.”

The need to focus on the Hornets was echoed by Gini Wijnaldum.

“To be fair, everybody is already busy with the Champions League, but we have to play Watford first,” said the Dutch midfielder.

“We have to start the Premier League good. Everybody is looking too far forward. “We have to look first to Watford and then Hoffenheim. It looks like everyone is only busy with Hoffenheim.

“We must start the Premier League good because it can damage confidence.” Klopp has also said he may not sign another defender. The Reds have been chasing Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk but had to step back from their pursuit when they were accused of tapping up by the Saints.

“We have four,” he said. “I don’t think we need more.

“In the moment I’m fine. We are open until the 31st (of August).

“We cannot force these things and we would never get a centre-back just because.”