Klopp recalls moment Reds hit back from Villa bust-up
JURGEN’S FOND MEMORIES OF CRUCIAL 2019 VICTORY
ASTON VILLA V LIVERPOOL 8PM, SKY SPORTS
JURGEN KLOPP will remember one of his happiest memories of Liverpool’s title-winning season when he returns toAstonVilla.
Liverpool recovered from a halftime dressing-room bust-up as late goals by Andy Robertson, below, and Sadio Mane overturnedVilla’s lead to earn a 2-1 win in November 2019.
The Reds beat Manchester City in the next Premier League game to move nine points ahead of their rivals – and never looked back.
Manager Klopp believes the Villa comeback encapsulated all the qualities of that side.
“There was a little situation in the dressing room,” he said. “A little argument between two players – but you will not get the names from me.
“That’s how it should be, to turn it around.That group of players was really special – we could calm it down.
“When everything is on the edge, these kind of things can happen.
“We really wanted it, the boys really wanted it. It was a very important one and it was a great feeling after the game.”
Villa Park is an apt venue for Klopp’s 238th and last away game with Liverpool tonight – the Reds have won there more times than at any other Premier League ground.
Unai Emery is also a fitting opposition coach, with the pair first meeting 12 years ago when the Spaniard managed Spartak Moscow.
Emery beat Klopp in the 2016 Europa League final with Sevilla, his only success from their 10 meetings, and the German is full of praise for his counterpart.
“Unai Emery is one of the best we have in the business, 100 percent,” said Klopp.
“Wherever he was, success came and sometimes the clubs were not ready to wait for it. If you look back, probably these clubs would have made different decisions.
“I’ve known him for so long. I think when I met him for the first time was in Moscow if I’m right.
“That’s really long ago and he always had a clear idea.
“Then he won the Europa League plenty of times with Sevilla and he was always really, really tricky for us when we played him at Villarreal.
“He always organised the team extremely, extremely well and the job he is doing now is exceptional.
“We know how important it is for a club to qualify for the Champions League, how difficult it is to do that and that he probably will do that.
“It’s absolutely exceptional, there are no other words for it.”
ASTON VILLA (probable): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Luiz, McGinn, Tielemans; Bailey, Diaby, Watkins.
(probable):