Klopp’s knock-on effect
> Boosted by a 3-1 league win at Chelsea, Liverpool look for first Europa League success
LIVERPOOL HOPE that their first Premier League win under new manager Jurgen Klopp, 3-1 at champions Chelsea, will boost them to a first Europa League victory as well today at Rubin Kazan.
The Reds’ prestigious Saturday success at Stamford Bridge came after two draws in Klopp’s first League matches since replacing Brendan Rodgers at the helm last month.
Klopp’s first game on the continent was also a draw, 1-1 at Anfield with Kazan, but there is confidence that the Chelsea game will now make them ready for full points in Europe.
“I hope we can perform well again and win,” Saturday’s twogoal star Philippe Coutinho told the club website.
“We know the work is just beginning and we have to keep it up, but I think we’re on the right track. Of course, we’ve had a run without any wins, and everyone was focused on winning, which was important for us.
“Three points and against that opposition, it’s given a boost to our confidence and I hope we can now focus on each game and be successful.”
Klopp led Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles and into the Champions League final in 2013 and now hopes for more success at Liverpool whose players have heaped praise on the manager but are keeping their feet on the ground after the big weekend.
“It’s a step in the right direction but it’s important we don’t get carried away. It’s just one win, we’re by no means there yet,” Adam Lallana told the Liverpool Echo.
“Now we need to think about Kazan and trying to improve our situation in the Europa League. They proved at Anfield what a good side they are. We need to rise to the challenge over there to keep this unbeaten run going.”
The other British clubs in action today are Tottenham Hotspur who host Belgium’s Anderlecht and Scottish giants Celtic who entertain Molde from Norway.
Tottenham will seek to avenge a matchday three 2-1 defeat in Brussels when they host Anderlecht in a repeat of the 1984 UEFA Cup final.
Spurs have struggled to translate their strong domestic form into success on the continent but their Argentine coach is confident the north Londoners are making meaningful progress.
“The team is growing, maturing. We are still young and we need to improve. It’s a good achievement, but to be honest, it (10 matches unbeaten) means nothing because we are ambitious and we want to win the next game,” Pochettino said.
Celtic will bank on their strong European home form to help turn around their Group A campaign, with two points from three matches having left the Scots bottom of the pack.
It was an unhappy return to Norway for coach Ronny Deila as Celtic slumped to a 3-1 defeat against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Molde last time out.
The Scottish champions will likely also have to make do without captain Scott Brown through injury.
Speaking of his side’s predicament, Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata said: “Do we expect to have to win three games? Of course, but they are three difficult games.”
Leaders Molde could qualify with a win as long as Ajax fail to beat Fenerbahce. – dpa / AFP