James Carroll
@ James_Carroll84
Jürgen Klopp insists that « every step is important in every game », as Liverpool want to continue to push for a top 4 result in the last quintet of the 2020/21 games.
The Reds welcome Southampton to their final Premier League game tonight in Anfield – and the manager has set out how his team will do everything possible to complete the campaign as best they can.
In his column in the official matchday program Klopp writes: “Hello, wherever you read this as we prepare to play Southampton in our Premier League game in Anfield. I greet Ralph Hasenhüttl, his players, staff and the officials of our visitors.
« I am a great admirer of Ralph and his work at Saints. A big fan, to be honest.
» I love his The way he works and the type of football his teams play. He has a clear plan and is very brave. He’s also a great guy who is always warm and generous.
« Games against his teams are always so intense and difficult. They know you have to win a fight before you can even think about winning a match. So it is. You have to be willing to work at least as hard, and preferably harder, than them.
« We saw what a good team they are when we played there over the New Years. Quality players with great attitudes.
« We know a few of them, of course, although I don’t think either of them are playing today for a variety of reasons will.
« Taki can’t – because he’s still our player and his time in Southampton is on loan. He did really well there and that’s no surprise.
“When we allowed him to leave in January it was a difficult task because he is an important player for us and he will undoubtedly be back in the future . But the options were short for us at the time, so it made sense for him and us to play elsewhere.
“Southampton was perfect because Ralph plays and what he demands of his players. I’m glad he isn’t facing us today.
« The other is Danny Ings – and at the time of writing I was told he probably won’t be available due to an injury. That’s not cool and although I am relieved I’m that he’s probably not on their team sheet, I’m personally disappointed for Danny.
« The good news is that it only sounds short-term. Danny had another fantastic season. What kind of guy and what kind of player .
« I have no idea what Gareth Southgate is going to do with his squad for the Euro this summer, and as I said, it has nothing to do with me or my cause. » But if Danny takes the squad succeeds, it will be well deserved.
« I miss him here, but I’m very happy that he is realizing his potential as one of the best center forwards in the Premier League. »
« It was a strange week , after a game that never existed, in this important game iel to get involved.
“We had prepared very well for the game against Manchester United and were looking forward to it. It was a great week of training.
« Of course there is nothing we can do about it now, and the new date has not yet been set at the time of this writing. What is clear is that our season is now ending with big, fast games and we are physically and have to be mentally prepared for it.
« Every second of every game is important to us. I always have questions about qualifying for the Champions League or the Europa League. European football is like crazy for us. Not for finances, although that helps but for prestige. We are Liverpool and we want to play in Europe. If we do that, we want to be successful in this company.
« But wanting something doesn’t help you achieve it. And to do something we have to focus on the only thing we can influence and that’s the next game.
« We have five games to go tonight and maybe I was personally guilty that I have to win all five – but that’s actually a fallacy. » The only game you can win is the next, and that goes for Southampton too.
“In our best times we have always focused on what we can influence. Attack the day, attack the training session, and if it’s a game day, attack the competition. We have to do that now.
“When you speculate about how many points you need for a particular position, it doesn’t even help one percent. So we don’t waste energy on things that don’t help us.
« And it’s not about ending this season well so that we can start the next season as well. » We are Liverpool – we have a responsibility to appear in every game. Every kick in every game is important.
« Tonight against Southampton, everything that matters to us right now is important, and it’s enough motivation for us as a group to give our all. »
« About the column To finish, I’ll comment on what last Sunday meant for us. The game was canceled due to the incident at Old Trafford.
“I firmly believe that supporters are able to protest and stand up for their rights, their importance to the game and issues that are important to them. to step in by taking visible action.
“In Germany this is an essential part of our culture. In my home country, supporters aren’t shy about making their positions clear, and that certainly has an impact.
“The past few weeks have shown that fans who come together have power. And that’s good for the game. They have to be central to what happens in the professional game. In truth, the professional game doesn’t mean anything without them.
“Liverpool has a proud history of activism, both as a club and as a city. And I think how the people of Liverpool stand up for what they believe in is a benchmark.
« Violence and crime are absolutely not okay and I hope supporters who want to get their feelings clear continue to do so do in a way that doesn’t cross that line. I know our supporters here at LFC will, and I think it will improve their cause, improve their message, and give themselves the best chance at achieving their goals / p> « This week, our CEO Billy Hogan met with the Spirit of Shankly support group, and I was delighted to see the resulting statements about making meaningful progress through engagement.
» I have said in previous columns that the bond and togetherness between fans and team was our secret ‘sauce’ as a club, whatever each of us can do to preserve it is for our present and future nft essential.
« I am confident we can achieve this because of the quality of the people involved on all sides. »
Ref: https://www.liverpoolfc.com
