Klopp says Liverpool ‘down to the ground’ ahead of ‘Champions League-like week’
Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool’s form has brought them “down to the ground” ahead of a three-game run in the Premier League that’s “like a Champions League week”.
The Reds travel to Manchester City on Saturday then Chelsea on Tuesday before hosting Arsenal at Anfield next Sunday.
Klopp says he, his staff and players “are not dumb” and recognise that they need to improve their displays to get the points they need to challenge for the top four.
He said “It’s like a Champions League week. I’m super excited. We are not dumb. We know the last game v Madrid wasn’t a good game, before that at Bournemouth wasn’t a good game, the one before was world class. We have to pick up from there and react to the other two games.”
The mood in the camp will have increased dramatically after their 7-0 win over Manchester United before defeat to Bournemouth and their exit from the Champions League brought them back to earth.
Asked if he was glad the international break came when it did, Klopp said: “For me, yes. I was ready for a few days without analysing this game again. That’s not what we want to be [Real Madrid second leg]. You can play there and lose there, but we should have showed more there.”
But Klopp remains confident his side can pull through and qualifying for the Champions League.
He said: “Historically we finish strong. Last year nearly four trophies. This year we’re out early. It brings back down to ground. It’s gone. Now it’s clear top four is the one thing we can go for. We don’t have a perfect position but it’s possible.”
The focus for now must now be on Manchester City and despite Liverpool not being in the title race, the game is of no lesser importance to Klopp.
He added: “It’s a super important game. That’s the one thing not different to all the other years. We know it’s a massive game, a massive week coming up. For tomorrow they deserve all the attention – we can’t think about the other games.”
READ MORE: Manager of the Month curse? Every 22/23 Premier League award winner and what happened next