Klopp: It’s cool to focus on Everton ... not Coutinho
BIG SAM GETS HIS £27m MAN
ONLY once did Jurgen Klopp admit to being annoyed. After he straight-batted every question on the subject that has dominated the week, Liverpool’s boss showed frustration.
Klopp has blocked out the noise over Barcelona’s relentless pursuit of Philippe Coutinho — ‘what can I say about what they want to do?’ he declared with exasperation — and made it clear he will not speak on the subject until there is something to discuss.
That moment may come soon. Coutinho, nursing a thigh problem, is set on moving to the Nou Camp this month and Barcelona are prepared to pay £140million — the third biggest transfer fee ever — to make it happen. None of this, however, concerned Klopp.
‘I’m not interested,’ he said. ‘I am interested in what we do that is best for us. That’s all. All the stories around? You can’t imagine how cool life is when ignoring them. They’re not important.’
When the talk switched to the FA Cup, though, and tonight’s Anfield showdown, Klopp was happy to admit to the frustration gnawing at him since Liverpool and Everton met on December 10.
Liverpool were, perhaps, overconfident and Everton’s obduracy enabled them to pilfer a draw when they should have been steamrollered. The missed opportunity continues to irk Klopp and he wants retribution.
‘We played really good football but obviously didn’t have enough shots on target,’ said Klopp, who is without the injured Mo Salah but should give a debut to £75m centre back Virgil van Dijk. ‘We were very often in promising situations. We played good but we can do better at decisive moments.
‘In a cup game, it is not about being the better team, it is about winning. We have different ways to do it, so we have to be as good as possible. That is what makes cup competitions so special. You just have to go through.
‘This is a big opportunity. We know about the importance of the FA Cup, but Everton have similar targets. To talk about winning something when you haven’t even played your first match sounds a little disrespectful.
‘It will be tough. We’ll try everything to go to the next round.’
As will Everton. The one thing neither Klopp nor Sam Allardyce wants is to have to do this all over again and the commitment to avoid a draw should see history made. Anfield has staged four Merseyside derby FA Cup ties, the most recent in January 2009, and all have been drawn.
The FA Cup continues to be derided but, tonight at least, it is the only thing that matters and Klopp has confirmed he will select his strongest XI possible.
Everton boss Allardyce agreed. ‘You can’t not go with your strongest side to Anfield,’ he said. ‘We’ve had a few days to recuperate (since losing 2-0 to Manchester United) and we’re ready to give it our all. Neither of us will want a replay, that is for sure.’