Time to right European wrongs, insists Klopp

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Win at home against Napoli vital for Reds’ progression

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists it is time to put right the wrongs of their inconsistent Champions League campaign.

Three away group game defeats have left the Reds needing to beat Napoli either 1-0 or by two clear goals at Anfield tonight.

The on-the-road rot began in Naples where Klopp’s side controlled much of the game only to concede an added-time winner to Lorenzo Insigne.

They have since lost to Red Star Belgrade and Paris St Germain away from home to leave them in third place in Group C facing a win-or-bust – with certain caveats – home game against the Italians.

“We knew it after the Napoli game that that was not good enough. Belgrade was not better.

“Paris was an OK away game, in the Champions League you can lose against PSG in their stadium,” said Klopp.

“We gave them a proper game but we lost it. So far at home we are good, we have to be even better tomorrow night.

“I told the boys, I really think if nothing special happens with referee decisions, we get tomorrow night what we deserve.

“We caused the situation in a good way and in a bad way. Now we have the chance to go through, that is special after the campaign we played so far.”

Liverpool went top of the Premier League at the weekend after they beat Bournemouth and Manchester City lost at Chelsea.

That put them one point ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side but Klopp said it meant nothing at this stage of the season and would play no part in their preparations for the Champions League.

“We will not change. It is December, not even Christmas. The season ends in May. We will not get carried away. We know how difficult it is,” he added.

Meanwhile Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino knows qualifying for the knockout phases of the Champions League at Barcelona will be special but not because of his connections across the city.

Spurs take on the Group B winners at the Nou Camp, with their qualification hopes in their own hands.

If they match the result of Inter Milan, who play rock-bottom PSV Eindhoven at home, then they will make the last 16 – no mean feat considering their own opponents.

Pochettino, who spent 12 years as a player and manager at Barcelona’s city rivals Espanyol, believes getting over the line would be a great achievement, given they amassed just one point from their opening three group games.

The Spaniard endured some painful viewing at the weekend as Barcelona romped to a 4-0 win in the Catalan derby against his old side and he knows what to expect.

“It’s going to be special in case we qualify,” he said. “To qualify would be special, only because of Tottenham not for having been at Espanyol or being an Espanyol fan.

“I’ve seen highlights of the derby. I know Barcelona very well. I know what they’re capable of doing. They’re not going to surprise us.”

Picture: Getty. Jurgen Klopp’s side have lost three away group games in the competition this season.