REACH FOR THE STARS
Klopp tells his Kop aces that top-four spot will be start of a wonderful journey and that ‘anything is possible’
JURGEN KLOPP has urged his team to seal a Champions League spot and promised: “Then anything is possible.”
The German has told his young squad that they are the most exciting project in football and that a season in Europe’s most prestigious tournament will help them realise their wildest dreams.
Finishing above Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal would help persuade Anfield’s brightest stars that their future is on Merseyside.
One of those is Emre Can, scorer of a superb winner at Watford on Monday night and a player Klopp is anxious to keep. “He is a very young player and of course other clubs will be interested in him, but we are now one of the most exciting projects in this moment,” the Liverpool chief said. “This is a big squad, a good squad, and it will be a better squad next season. “We are in a really good place with a good young group together, many at the best age.
“We offer a lot – not only money – as a club and I think that makes it
interesting for a player.” Klopp hit back at doubters when making clear that many questioned whether Liverpool were good enough to finish in the top three this season...but are now saying third place is a disappointment.
“It is the first time I have heard something positive about this season,” he said when it was suggested top three was a tough ask at the start of the campaign.
“This is what I talk about when I talk of the development of the whole club. We are still kind of new. Not new enough that there is no expectation. We have a lot of expectation. But now is the moment to go for it.
“If it does not work we will speak about it after the season, but we have the strongest competitors around in the world. There are better teams in
Spain or Germany, but none are as greedy as our competitors here for this kind of success. They are all fighting with everything they have. “Doubts do not help. Bad mood, bad atmosphere, doubts from outside – it makes everything more difficult. Here we are in a position where everything is possible. Let’s go for it.” Liverpool are in third spot, three points ahead of Manchester City, who have a game in hand. Tomorrow they host Southampton, who have played Liverpool three times this season without conceding. Klopp has promised the Anfield crowd, quick to grow edgy when things don’t go to plan, that they will have something to celebrate. “We know about the quality of the opponent. I like watching Southampton,” he said.
“Our plan for Sunday is to use Anfield. For some it’s a nervy situation, but we need to be brave, enjoy the game and use the crowd.
“I understand absolutely that people are getting nervous but Anfield is always more than good. What we’re going for is for all of us.”
Klopp has Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho back after he was injured just 13 minutes into the Watford game on Monday, and Adam Lallana could return to the starting line-up in place of either Divock Origi or Lucas.