MIDDLESBROUGH
Elite, claims ambitious Anfield chief AGNEW IS KEEN TO STAY BOSS
JURGEN KLOPP insists his Liverpool players deserve to be in the Champions League. The Reds go into today’s clash against Middlesbrough at Anfield needing victory to clinch a top-four place, with Arsenal just a point behind. And while Klopp has already been given guarantees from the club’s American owners that his own future is secure, even in the worst-case scenario, the Kop boss believes his players warrant a return to Europe’s elite. Klopp said: “My players deserve the Champions League – 100 per cent. “This is a special season. It hasn’t happened too often that you need 76 points to be sure of the Champions League. “My players have always been ready to bounce back from many different situations. They were always focused. So, yes, I think they really deserve it. “It’s been a long season, a hard season, but we are not tired and we are really full of energy and that’s what I really hope we can use against Middlesbrough.” Liverpool have an incredible record against other teams in the top seven this season, picking up 26 points in 12 unbeaten games against Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton.
But they have dropped points against Hull and Sunderland – relegated alongside Boro. Liverpool, who lost in the finals of the League Cup and Europa League last season, must prove they have the fortitude to finish off the biggest challenge of Klopp’s reign in style.
Dramas
The German has endured plenty of lastday dramas during his time in charge of Mainz and Borussia Dortmund.
He said: “Have a look at my career. My seasons were always decided on the last match.
“So I am completely used to working until the last minute, being concentrated until the last minute. Most decisions are made in the last moment.
“The more you try, the bigger your desire is and the more likely you will have these kind of finals. I know how people feel when they go the stadium. They pray and say, ‘Oh my God, please’. “But we have to be smart as well as emotional. We have to be well organised, but fluid also. Only if you let it be more difficult, does it become more difficult. “This team showed me so often that they are really ready for situations like this. We have to show it again. It will be fine.” Klopp added: “It would be nice to say at the start of the season I would have accepted going into the last game needing to win to reach the Champions League, but that’s not really the truth. “At the beginning of every season I don’t set myself limits and say, ‘This would be OK’. I always dream of the biggest things and so in one or two moments of the season I have been as disappointed as a fan. “But it is good that there’s still something to go for. In the last few weeks most of the decisions are made in this league, and we have a big opportunity.” STEVE AGNEW has not been put off management despite failing to keep Middlesbrough in the Premier League.
Assistant head coach Agnew was asked to replace Aitor Karanka in March with 11 games remaining and he will head into the final of those at Liverpool having been unable to prevent Boro from hurtling back towards the Sky Bet Championship.
In some respects it has proved to be a bruising experience, but the 51-year-old says he remains as keen as ever to manage in his own right one day.
He said: “Being an assistant manager over the last five years is something I have particularly enjoyed, and it’s always been top end of the Championship, promotion, staying in the Premier League.
“Being the No.1 is different and it’s something that I’ve enjoyed.
“Of course I’ve been very, very disappointed with the outcome – but has it put me off wanting eventually to be a manager? No, it hasn’t.”
Boro have won only one and drawn three of the 10 matches in which Agnew has been in charge, and their return to the Championship was confirmed by a 3-0 defeat at Chelsea on May 8.
He was thrown in at the deep end and said: “I knew it was a huge challenge. Having lost our place in the Premier League is the biggest disappointment.
“But, at the same time, I have learnt lots of different things about players, coaching and management.”
Agnew has been coy throughout his reign about his future, with chairman Steve Gibson having challenged him to make the permanent job his own.
Gibson has identified a series of potential targets after revealing in a radio interview he wants to “smash” the Championship next season.
Agnew said: “We need to prepare for the Liverpool game and anything that gets in the way is a distraction. Once it’s over I am sure there’ll be conversations.”