LONDON • Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes his team can put their chastening 3-0 Champions League semi-final first-leg defeat by Barcelona out of their minds and focus on winning today's crucial Premier League trip to Newcastle.
With the Reds trailing leaders Manchester City by a point heading into the final two league games of the season, the German insisted the mood in the dressing room did not need any lifting as "when you're in the race, you don't get tired".
He said yesterday: "We didn't need to pick players up in Barcelona (on Wednesday) and give them a hug. It's in us.
"If you want to win in football, you have to accept that you can lose. I had more positive thoughts about the game than negative because of what we did on the pitch.
"The boys are completely on fire. When you're in the race, you don't get tired.
"We are ambitious like hell. All we can do is beat Newcastle and that's unbelievably difficult, what other teams do on Monday night (when City play Leicester at home) isn't our problem.
"The performances in recent weeks have been brilliant. Now, we need to carry on like this."
His team are on a seven-match Premier League winning streak, scoring 20 goals and conceding just five. They are unbeaten in 15 matches and beat Newcastle 4-0 at Anfield on Boxing Day.
Klopp said with Naby Keita ruled out for the season, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is now back in full training after recently returning from a year-long injury absence, was in line for at least a place on the bench at St James' Park.
Guinea midfielder Keita suffered a ruptured tendon in his abductor against Barcelona, ruling him out for two months, a situation Klopp rued as "bad news for us".
However, Oxlade-Chamberlain has similar qualities, with his ability to make penetrating runs from deep. While Klopp refused to be drawn on whether the "brilliant" England midfielder was set to start his first game of the term, he confirmed he would be part of the travelling squad.
Asked about the possibility of a title play-off game, which would only occur if Liverpool and City ended the season level on points, goal difference and goals scored, Klopp admitted the scenario, while somewhat far-fetched, would "fit with the season, a big showdown at high noon somewhere".
He added: "Wow, I didn't think about that, to be honest. It would be cool but I don't think it's too likely."
For now, Klopp is not concerning himself with hypothetical situations as Newcastle are "pretty uncomfortable to play".
FIRED UP
The boys are completely on fire. When you're in the race, you don't get tired. We are ambitious like hell.
All we can do is beat Newcastle and that's unbelievably difficult...
JURGEN KLOPP, Liverpool manager.
And Magpies manager Rafa Benitez is not about to do his former side any favours despite "his relationship with Liverpool".
He is, however, winless in five previous league games against Liverpool (three draws, two losses).
The Spaniard, who retains the affection of most fans in the red half of Merseyside after leading them to their fifth European Cup in 2005, said he was "very clear about being professional and doing our job".
He added: "The fans know that you have to do what you have to do. I have friends at Liverpool, but also at City. We have 52,000 fans and we want to do it (secure the win).
"Everything about Liverpool now is that they are doing great. They are favourites but, if we do everything right, we have a chance."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
NEWCASTLE V LIVERPOOL
Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227,mtomorrow, 2.45am
SEEÂ :Â Klopp's Reds will not blink under pressure
Jun 02, 2019 · Neymar, the Brazilian football star, has denied an accusation that he raped a woman at a luxury hotel in Paris last month, claiming that he is the victim of an extortion attempt.
Neymar rape allegation: PSG player denies Paris hotel claims
SINGAPORE — Singapore's national striker Ikhsan Fandi scored his first competitive goal for his Norwegian club Raufoss IL on Sunday (12 May), and it proved to be a spectacular winner for his side. The 20-year-old was jostling in a crowded penalty area with one minute left in regulation time
WATCH: Singapore youngster Ikhsan Fandi scores his first
Emery still has made a big mistake from the start and she should be blame for his lineup though. You cannot start Mustafi, Mavropanos, Jenkinson, Elneny, Guendouzi, at the same time, and NOT expect repercussions. I understand the need for rotation, but that was too many changes, and such a lack of quality coming in.
Emery: We started very well but the red card changed
LIVERPOOL, England (REUTERS) - Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp concedes he faces a selection dilemma as centre back Dejan Lovren is unlikely to feature against Bayern Munich in Tuesday's (Feb 19
Liverpool's Lovren unlikely to face Bayern, says Klopp
SUN 06 Jan 2019 Spanish La Liga. rivals and current leaders Barcelona in March. Santiago Solari's side can move to level on points with third-place Sevilla with victory over 15th-place
La Liga: Pressure Piles On Coach Zinedine Zidane As Real
Chelsea have completed the signing of Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain, who will join the club on loan from Juventus until the end of the season, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.
Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain completes Chelsea loan deal
Pedro scored a vital away goal for Chelsea in their Europa League semi-final first leg 1-1 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt. There was a raucous atmosphere ahead of kick-off and the home fans were
Chelsea draw 1-1 at Eintracht in Europa League semi first leg
Hostetler didn't have the ability to submit a protocol-compliant client information list because he was allegedly fired over the phone while in his car on his way to a business appointment and was told not to return to the office, according to the opposition filing and Scott Matasar, Hostetler's Cleveland, Ohio-based lawyer in the TRO case.
Sacked financial advisers still working in the industry
Football: Hougang United lose two-goal lead twice to draw 3-3 with 10-man Tampines Rovers. Tampines Rovers and Hougang United players in action during their Singapore Premier League match at Our
Football: Hougang United lose two-goal lead twice to draw 3-3
Former Manchester United Great Paul Scholes Appointed Manager
Football: Kedah-bound national defender Shakir Hamzah enjoying a new lease of life national defender Shakir Hamzah could have easily turned out to be one of those talented footballers who
Football: Kedah-bound national defender Shakir Hamzah
Get more information about EMILIANO SALA at straitstimes.com. Skip to main content. Toggle navigation The Straits Times More than 3,000 bid farewell to Sala in Progreso. Feb 18, 2019, 5:00 am.
Emiliano Sala's Grieving Argentine Hometown Bids Farewell
0 comments:
Post a Comment