We have to be at our best against every team, implies Jurgen Klopp
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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has admitted that it won’t be easy against RB Salzburg during the final group stage matchday when Liverpool travel to Salzburg. Reds managed to secure just 1-1 a draw at Anfield against Italian giants Napoli halting their progress to the knockout stages.
Liverpool couldn’t secure the win against Napoli and were trailing 1-0 till the 65th minute, but Dejan Lovren proved to be an unlikely saviour and helped the Merseyside team salvage a point. A win would have been enough for the Champions League winners to advance to the next stage but now they have all to play for when they travel to Salzburg. The Premier League leaders sit at the top of their group with 10 points whereas Napoli are a point behind and RB Salzburg on 7.
In his post-match presentation interview, Jurgen Klopp admitted that it was never going to be easy and he hasn't planned as far as the Red's clash against RB Salzburg next month but is instead looking towards his next game. Klopp went on to admit that his bigger concern right now was Fabinho's injury after the midfielder was replaced half-way through the first half.
“I never planned it for this. Why would we plan for Salzburg when we have Napoli? Come on, I am four years in, tell me when it was easy. Last year we had to win at home 1-0 against Napoli, I cannot remember a bigger pressure game than that. It was really difficult and we did it, so now we have to go to Salzburg. In this moment, the game is over, so my problem is Fabinho is injured and Brighton [is next] - not Salzburg, not at all,” said Klopp reported Sky Sports.
Fabinho picked up a serious injury in their clash against Napoli forcing him to come off the field in the 19th minute. Klopp looked worried as the Brazilian has become one of the most important players in the German’s system at Liverpool and his loss could prove to be costly. The Reds host Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday in the Premier League as they aim to maintain their unbeaten streak.
“But I know how human beings are; people wished we could finish the group tonight and make kind of a holiday game in Salzburg. Never happened, will never happen. So, that's the situation. If we have ambitions in the Champions League, we have to show that in Salzburg - and until then, we have to show our ambitions in the Premier League. There are a couple of games to play until then and we have to be focused on them - and we will be, no doubt,” concluded the former Mainz coach.
