LONDON (AFP) - Jurgen Klopp says Thiago Alcantara has "much more" to offer Liverpool after coronavirus and a knee injury restricted his appearances during his first season with the Premier League club. The 30-year-old Spain international arrived at Anfield for £20 million (S$37 million) from Bayern Munich a year ago but was limited to 24 league outings in the 2020/21 season. Klopp hopes a clean bill of health will allow the former Barcelona player to shine at the heart of Liverpool's midfield after he helped Spain reach the Euro 2020 semi-finals. "He (Thiago) has shown what kind of player he can be. There's much more to come," Klopp said ahead of Saturday's match against Crystal Palace. "He's settled well. He's a really good character, a really good personality and a world-class player." Thiago provided the assist for Sadio Mane's goal during the Reds' 3-0 victory at Leeds last week and Klopp likened his passing ability to a "world-class golfer". But the Reds manager explained Thiago now played in a "complex" role requiring defensive skills in addition to the attacking talent he showed during spells at Barcelona and Bayern. "All the technical stuff is easy for him," the German told reporters on Friday. "He had to and has to adapt to the way we play. We want him to play his football with some little things which he has had to adapt. "He's a playmaker that can be deeper but must be very often between the two lines of the opponent." Klopp said the nature of Liverpool's opposition dictated his midfield line-up from match to match, with Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Naby Keita and Curtis Jones also competing for three central-midfield berths. "We have so many different skillsets (that) I don't have a first three - why should I?" he added. "It's nothing to do with Thiago. This is a very intense position with intense challenges where we need to be as fresh as possible. "We try to develop every year. For Thiago, it was nice to see how naturally he did that. You just let him play and he didn't need a lot of advice." More on this topic Related Story Football: Liverpool cannot waste points in another tough season, says Klopp Related Story Football: Klopp says biennial World Cup plan 'all about money' Liverpool sit third in the Premier League following three wins and a draw from their opening four games and began their Champions League campaign with a thrilling 3-2 victory against AC Milan on Wednesday. Forward Roberto Firmino remains sidelined with a hamstring injury for the game against Patrick Vieira's Crystal Palace, who are in mid-table. Teenage midfielder Harvey Elliott is a long-term absentee after undergoing surgery for a dislocated ankle following a tackle from Leeds player Pascal Struijk.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND (REUTERS) - Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said the red card given to Chelsea's Reece James, in Saturday's (Aug 28) 1-1 draw, had taken away the chance to see a thrilling second half between the two teams. Referee Anthony Taylor sent off James after reviewing a goal-line clearance and awarding a penalty which Liverpool's Mohamed Salah converted to cancel out Kai Havertz's opener. While Klopp felt it was a clear handball, he said the double punishment of a red card as well as a penalty had spoilt the game. "I never liked double punishment but if somebody ever listened to me about rule changes or rules, a lot of things would look completely different," said Klopp. "It was absolutely harsh. Spoils the game? Yeah probably. It changed everything, I liked our first half, we were really good, caused Chelsea a lot of problems. It was an incredible intense game from Chelsea as well. "I would have loved to have seen the game in an 11 v 11 situation and see who comes through better but it's the way it is," he said. While disappointed his team could not go on to win the game, Klopp said that there was no longer a "huge advantage" in having an extra man in the modern game. "Everything was enjoyable apart from the result. I saw two very good football teams. It was a great first half from us and actually a good second one because it's so tricky when you play against nine defenders and have to create and create. "Second half everyone thinks 'come on'. There is a definite advantage in possession, you have to out-number them and defend them really high, but the defensive structure changes in that case that they are only defending slightly deeper but they have eight players defending that area around the box so we couldn't use that. "We had our shots from distance, I would have loved to have been a bit closer for the rebound but it was a good game," he said. Klopp said Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino, who went off just before the break, had felt a problem in his hamstring. "Bobby felt his hamstring, came and told us so we had to prepare the change. Bobby is not one who raises the hand when he doesn't feel anything," he said. "It doesn't look too serious but you never know before you have a scan, which will happen tomorrow." More on this topic Related Story Football: Ten-man Chelsea hold out for 1-1 draw at Liverpool
LIVERPOOL (AFP) - Liverpool must produce a "perfect performance" to overcome a 3-1 first leg deficit against Real Madrid on Wednesday (April 14) and reach the Champions League semi-finals, manager Jurgen Klopp said. A difficult season for the English champions will end without a trophy should they fail to pull off a fightback against the 13-time European Cup winners on Wednesday. "This Real Madrid team has some of the greatest talent playing football in the world today. This isn't a surprise - it's what Real Madrid do. So to beat a side like this you must always strive for the perfect performance," Klopp said in remarks published on the Liverpool website on Tuesday. "But what we will not lose sight of is how good we are, the talent we have, the magic in our dressing room and the character required to make special moments happen. "We have the entire package at Liverpool." One part of the package missing from previous glory European nights at Anfield will be the crowd because of ongoing coronavirus restrictions. Liverpool famously overcame a 3-0 first leg deficit to beat Barcelona 4-0 in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on route to winning the competition for a sixth time in 2019. But, with no fans in the stands, Klopp has played down comparisons with that clash or the 2016 Europa League tie against Borussia Dortmund, when they fought back from 3-1 down on the night to win 4-3 and advance 5-4 on aggregate. "It is an indisputable truth that a full stadium would have been significant for us," added Klopp. "When I think back to the many special nights we have had here, I usually describe them with the word 'together'. That is because those nights were about the collective power of this club. Supporters and players coming together to produce memories that last a lifetime. "My job - and the job of the boys - is to channel your energy despite the forced distance. We know it's still there, therefore we can still use it. It's more of a challenge, of course, but since when did we ever do anything the easy way?" Madrid stretched to 'physical limit' Left-back Andy Robertson said the players have a responsibility to create the atmosphere themselves. "The Barcelona game, that wouldn't be possible without the fans. The fans made us feel 10 feet tall," said the Scotland captain. "Walking out to 55,000 other people who believed, gave you that extra 10 per cent. "We need to try and create that atmosphere in the changing room before we go out. We've got to have no regrets." Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane said his players were "at their physical limit" after following up their first leg win with a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in an intense Clasico on Saturday. A knee injury to Lucas Vazquez has added to Zidane's list of absentees with Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Dani Carvajal also ruled out. But Zidane said Real are prepared to empty the tank for the third time in eight days to secure a place in the last four for the first time since they beat Liverpool in the 2017/18 final. "When Madrid are on the field we have to win every game," said Zidane. "It was a huge effort in the first leg, then against Barca, but we are used to this and tomorrow we are prepared for another game of the highest demand."
LIVERPOOL (REUTERS) - Liverpool are not on a revenge mission when they visit Real Madrid's for Tuesday's (April 6) Champions League quarter-final first leg and will only focus on getting another step closer to a seventh European crown, manager Jurgen Klopp said. Real Madrid ran out 3-1 winners against Liverpool in their last meeting in the 2018 final but the result was overshadowed by Sergio Ramos' challenge on Mohamed Salah, causing an injury to the Egyptian forward who ended up leaving the field in tears. Klopp conceded the quarter-final draw brought back memories of the game in Kyiv but said he has moved on and his players will be treating the game like any other European knockout tie. "My motivation is at the highest level because we play in the Champions League, we want to go to the next round and we play Real Madrid," Klopp told a news conference on Monday. "It was for us a strange night but it was long ago and I cannot get that anger back so I don't even try. What I try is to prepare my team for tomorrow to show how good we are as a football team in a strange season and a difficult season. "We are not on a revenge tour here. Life is like this. I don't believe too much in revenge, but it would be nice to get through." Klopp said he is relishing the prospect of facing an attack-minded Real side and his players accept the "challengers" tag ahead of the first leg at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium. "We face a football-playing side which is very helpful for football in general but for our defending as well," Klopp said. "That's why we have a chance. "I heard outside everyone said Real Madrid are the favourites, no problem with that. They are used to the role and we have no problem with the role of the challengers." More on this topic Related Story Football: Salah says no team suffers more without fans than Liverpool Related Story Football: Bayern to face PSG, Real Madrid v Liverpool in Champions League last eight
LONDON • Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes that deadline day signing Ben Davies will be a big plus to his squad, as much as playing for the Reds will be a huge advantage for the defender. The Premier League champions bolstered their injury-hit defence by signing centre-back Davies from Championship club Preston North End on Monday and also secured a season-loan deal for Schalke's Turkish central defender Ozan Kabak. British media reported that Liverpool would pay Preston around £2 million (S$3.6 million) for the 25-year-old, who arrives at Anfield on a long-term contract. Speaking ahead of today's Premier League home clash against Brighton, Klopp said: "Ben knows how it is to play a lot of games and play more than you train. He knows how to defend. So it is a big opportunity for both sides. A player with experience and space to develop. "Very interesting signing, looking forward to meeting Ben finally as it went quickly... We looked all over in Europe. I saw Ben, I was interested. I am a big believer in opportunities and taking chances and Ben sees it the same way." Liverpool are without centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez due to long-term injuries and were dealt another blow when Joel Matip was forced off with an ankle ligament injury in their 3-1 league win at Tottenham Hotspur last week. He has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Klopp has had to play midfielders Fabinho and Jordan Henderson in defence this season while also relying on young players to fill gaps at the back. Liverpool fielded Henderson and 23-year-old Nathaniel Phillips as their centre-back pairing in Sunday's 3-1 win at West Ham United that lifted them to third place. Fabinho was absent due to a "minor fitness issue" and is ruled out of today's game. "We found some good solutions and now we have more options," added Klopp. "It is not perfect. January not my favourite window. We signed them yesterday, they (could) play tomorrow. It's work under pressure. Options. "Ozan is still a talent and has proven a lot. He is here now in a stable team. He can help us and we can help him. Our situation is really strange. We are without our four centre-backs. We needed players." Meanwhile, the Reds' Japanese midfielder Takumi Minamino has joined Southampton on loan for the rest of the season. There were only three permanent deals on deadline day, owing much to clubs being hamstrung by the coronavirus crisis and new Brexit rules. Everton signed striker Joshua King from Championship side Bournemouth until the end of the campaign, while Brighton secured the services of midfielder Moises Caicedo from Ecuadorian top-flight side Independiente del Valle on a deal until 2025. Manchester United's Amad Diallo, Aston Villa new boy Morgan Sanson and West Brom pair Mbaye Diagne and Robert Snodgrass were among the handful of high-profile permanent signings in the January transfer window as teams made the decision to rely on their existing squads or relied on loans. Liverpool sit four points behind leaders Manchester City (44), who have a game in hand. But Klopp is also wary of 17th-placed Brighton. He said: "They have a clear idea, good players in the right positions. They stick to their idea and I respect that a lot. Against Spurs it was a deserved (1-0) win. Controlled it. A football-playing side." Following today's match, the Reds will host City in a crucial clash on Sunday. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS LIVERPOOL V BRIGHTON Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, tomorrow, 4.15am
LIVERPOOL (AFP) - Jurgen Klopp admitted the end of Liverpool's 68-game unbeaten run at Anfield was a "massive punch in the face" as the Premier League champions crashed to a shock 1-0 defeat by Burnley on Wednesday (Jan 21). Klopp's side were beaten in a home league game for the first time since Crystal Palace won at Anfield in April 2017. Ashley Barnes clinched Burnley's first win at Liverpool since 1974 when he converted an 83rd-minute penalty after being fouled by Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker. "It's a massive, massive punch in the face," Klopp said. "We had the ball a lot, created some and didn't finish the situations off. "That keeps the game open and then they get the penalty. Alisson told me he didn't touch him, but I didn't see it back. "We lost a game which I think it's actually impossible to lose. But we did it." Spluttering Liverpool have slipped to fourth place after a second defeat in their last three league games and trail leaders Manchester United by six points. They have gone five league games without a win and it is 7hr 18min since they last found the net in the league. The Reds have gone four league games without scoring for the first time since May 2000, failing with 87 shots since Sadio Mane's 12th-minute strike against West Brom. 'It's a tough one' Liverpool's goal drought prompted Klopp to leave Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino on the bench for an hour, but even the eventual introduction of the two star forwards could not spark a strong finish. "It's a tough one, not easy to explain. We worked hard tonight and it didn't happen. It's my responsibility, that's the easy explanation," Klopp said. "It's wrong decisions in the moment, three crosses in the box, we tried to find a player but didn't. It's my job to make sure the boys are in the right position, that they feel right. "If something doesn't work you have to try harder, more often, longer. It was not easy to lose that game and we did it." Liverpool would drop out of the Champions League qualification places if Tottenham at least draw their game in hand or if Everton win one of their two extra matches. After winning their first English title for 30 years last season, Liverpool are in danger of surrendering the crown unless they improve soon. Klopp conceded they could not think about finishing on top of the table given their current struggles. "We can't imagine the title race at the moment," he said. Backing his team to eventually solve their problems, Klopp added: "It's not about blaming, we have to sort it together and we will. "In football, you don't have a lot of time. In the final moment, obviously our decision-making is not right at the moment, that's the problem. "I have to make it clearer. How you come in behind their last line, these kind of things. That's the job we have to do." Klopp's frustration with Liverpool's travails appeared to boil over in a half-time row with Burnley boss Sean Dyche. "I didn't start it but all good. If he's not talking about it, I won't talk about it," Klopp said of the dispute.
LONDON • Jurgen Klopp has insisted that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a "difference maker" in the team, after a question was posed about the likelihood of the midfielder reaching his previous heights again at Liverpool. "In training, what Ox did so far, you see his quality immediately, immediately," Klopp said on the club website ahead of today's Premier League trip to Fulham. "He is a difference maker, you can see that. Being in the best moment of your career and being compared with that after coming back from an injury, that's a really dumb thing to do. "Ox is an outstanding player, an outstanding player. He was always and will always be." The 27-year-old Englishman has not featured this season due to a knee issue but Klopp was boosted by his return to training this week. The Reds boss added that goalkeeper Alisson Becker has also resumed training after a hamstring injury and could return today. Alisson has not played since Liverpool's 1-1 draw against Brighton last month and Klopp said the Brazilian was close to full fitness. However, the good news was balanced with some less appetising updates, with Klopp confirming that he was waiting to hear about the seriousness of knocks suffered by Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota during the midweek 1-1 Champions League draw at Midtjylland. Liverpool are second in the league behind Tottenham on goal difference and host Jose Mourinho's side next week after the clash against 17th-placed Fulham. "I hope none of our players will think about Tottenham when we're at Fulham," Klopp said. "Fulham are a really good side and the performances they've shown have all not been rewarded with results. Since Scott Parker took over there, there's been constant development. He's doing a good job, I respect that." The German also reiterated that he believes the need for VAR (video assistant referee) has made the game less enjoyable, after Liverpool were involved in three lengthy stoppages against Midtjylland. "We stop celebrating goals, we wait constantly, we have less than millimetre offside decisions. A lot of things are not like they were before, that's the truth," he said. REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE FULHAM V LIVERPOOL Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, tomorrow, 12.30am
HERNING • Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said he is no longer sure the use of video assistant referee (VAR) technology is good for football after Wednesday's Champions League match against Midtjylland was interrupted three times in the second half, causing long delays. The Group D tie was a dead rubber as the Reds had already advanced to the last 16 as group winners, so the visitors fielded an experimental side in Denmark. Klopp gave Leighton Clarkson his full debut in the competition and fellow academy player Billy Koumetio his first appearance off the bench. But the match, which ended 1-1 after Mohamed Salah's strike was cancelled out by a second-half penalty by Alexander Scholz, was marred by VAR checks. The incident which led to the hosts' equaliser had to be reviewed, while the action was also halted as the system disallowed goals for either side late on. Although Klopp agreed with all three decisions, he expressed his concerns about the amount of time players had to wait on the pitch in wintry conditions. "I used to be one of the people who said VAR is a good idea, I'm really not sure if I would say that again to be honest," he told reporters. "It just took too long. I think in the end, I didn't see it back, the decisions were right but it was so difficult, it took three or four minutes and it was cold for the boys." Klopp was, however, happy with the spirit shown despite making eight changes from the side who smashed Wolves 4-0 in the Premier League last weekend. Salah, just one of three players retained, nabbed his 22nd Champions League goal, surpassing former captain Steven Gerrard as the club's record scorer in Europe's elite club competition. "Exceptional player, absolutely exceptional player," Klopp said. "Since we (have) worked together, obviously a lot of things (have) clicked really for all of us. "He helps the team massively, and he knows and appreciates the help of the team as well." Elsewhere, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola also hailed the contributions of his key striker, Sergio Aguero. The Argentinian international, making only his fifth appearance of the season due to injuries, came off the bench to poke home from close range as City brushed aside Marseille 3-0 at the Etihad. Guardiola's men confirmed their place in the last 16 as Group C winners and on Aguero, who took his Champions League goals tally to 41, the Catalan said "his instinct to score goals will always be there". REUTERS