• About Us
  • Privacy Policy
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Citi Sports Online
  • Home
  • News
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Local Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • World Cup
  • AFCON
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Local Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • World Cup
  • AFCON
No Result
View All Result
Citi Sports Online
No Result
View All Result

Jürgen Klopp tells Liverpool to shock Barcelona or ‘fail beautifully’

Edwin Kwakofi by Edwin Kwakofi
May 7, 2019
Reading Time: 4 mins read
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Whatsapp

Jürgen Klopp was occupied with keeping the Premier League title race alive in between Champions League dates with Barcelona yet found time for a history lesson with Liverpool’s players before the formidable task that awaits on Tuesday.

It concerned the art of recovering from a 3-0 defeat against Spanish opposition and the willingness, should another feat of Anfield escapology prove beyond them, to “fail in the most beautiful way”.

Klopp has savoured a European comeback as Liverpool manager before, when his new team were twice left needing three goals to overcome his old one, Borussia Dortmund, in the 2016 Europa League quarter-finals.

They delivered on that raucous night at Anfield, but without Mohamed Salah – whose concussion sustained against Newcastle means a mandatory six-day break before he can return against Wolves on Sunday – and injured Roberto Firmino, and against Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, it would eclipse anything the stadium has witnessed in European competition to preserve Klopp’s record of never having lost a Uefa knockout tie as the Liverpool manager.

His own past provides a glimmer of hope.

“I don’t think too much about Dortmund,” Klopp admitted before the semi-final second leg. “My own personal little story is about Real Madrid, five years ago with Dortmund. We lost 3-0 there (in a Champions League quarter-final) but then at home we changed seven or eight positions and won 2-0 and we should have won 5-0 without a shadow of a doubt.

But it was Madrid then and it’s Barcelona now. It’s a big difference. I don’t want to talk too much but I have told the players that story. It doesn’t mean that it will happen again but it is enough for me to believe.”

Klopp said in the immediate aftermath of that quarter-final second leg: “You could make a video of this game and show it to the teams that lose a first leg 3-0.”

He hinted at following his own advice for the return with Barcelona and catching out the Spanish champions with a change in formation and a selection surprise such as Xherdan Shaqiri or Rhian Brewster.

“We changed the team on purpose,” he added of the Dortmund-Real tie. “Oliver Kirch had played only a couple of games and everyone was thinking; ‘Who’s that guy?’ But he played an unbelievable game that night against Madrid. A lot of things are possible. It’s about how much.

Can we believe at the beginning in the opportunity? Then we have to do the right things on the pitch and then you need a bit of luck, which we didn’t have in Barcelona. Then we need a fantastic atmosphere.

“We have two of the best strikers in the world not involved, so of course we need the crowd involved. Some things will be new, 100%, with not really any time to train.

That’s how it is but I am still looking forward to it. It’s the Champions League and you want to be a part of it. We were so happy when we came through the quarter-final. Now we are in the semi and we have to use the second leg.”

While Ernesto Valverde was resting every Barcelona player who started the first leg from Saturday’s 2-0 defeat by Celta Vigo, Klopp was losing Salah to a head injury sustained in the late win at Newcastle.

Tuesday will be the first time he has been without both Salah and Firmino for a Champions League or Premier League game.

Brewster, the highly rated 19-year-old who has not made his first-team debut yet, and has been sidelined for 14 months by ankle and knee surgery, will feature in some capacity. “It’s guaranteed,” confirmed Klopp.

“He’s ready. Rhian has now arrived with us after being heavily injured. Day by day he has got better and he has been in outstanding shape for the last three or four weeks but the other players were there as well. Next season he will be playing 100% and he knows that. I have told him already.

Now it’s really nice, in a difficult situation, that we can give him that spot in the squad and have him there to bring on as a striker. When you’re on the bench, you are an option to play.”

Klopp was encouraged by Liverpool’s bravery in Barcelona and the quality of chances created, if not taken. His team’s predicament means there has been no request to Ulla, Klopp’s wife, to prepare a party for after Tuesday’s semi-final but the occasion remains one to cherish.

The Liverpool manager explained: “We want to celebrate the Champions League campaign, either with a proper finish or another goal. That is the plan: just try. If we can do it, wonderful. If not, then fail in the most beautiful way. I had these games quite a few times. In my experience, it’s not that before the game you think: ‘Yes, I believe we will do it.’ But I’m completely fine with the chance. Less than them, but we have at least a chance.

“They are halfway through, that’s the absolute truth, but as long as it’s not decided that is the competition. I don’t tell my missus: ‘Wait for me at home, we will have a party after the game because we’ll win it.’

“We have to work for it. We believe in the chance, we believe in the opportunity, not in the result. There are a lot of other components that are important as well. We have to change again obviously and we will see how we deal with that. In general the shape is good and the confidence is there, so we should try it.”

Source: Guardian
ShareTweetSend
Previous Post

Diego Godin to leave Atletico Madrid after 9 years

Next Post

‘Evil’ racist abuse of players must stop – Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi

Related Posts

GFA President Kurt Okraku Photo Courtesy: GFA
Local Football

George Afriyie is my friend but its difficult not to be a Kurt Okraku guy- Lord Zico

October 4, 2023
Black Stars

Andre Ayew dropped as Chris Hughton names Ghana squad to face Mexico, USA

October 4, 2023
Football

FIFA announces Morocco, Spain and Portugal as 2030 World Cup hosts

October 4, 2023
Gakpo battles with Destiny Udogie of Tottenham Hotspurs Photo Courtesy: Liverpool FC
Premier League

Jurgen Klopp demands Liverpool replay against Tottenham after VAR error

October 4, 2023
Soccer Football - Champions League - Group A - Manchester United v Galatasaray - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - October 3, 2023 Manchester United's Andre Onana reacts REUTERS/Carl Recine
Premier League

Erik ten Hag insists Man Utd backs goalkeeper Andre Onana

October 4, 2023
Football

“I had to lie that Lionel Messi was the Best player” – Kevin-Prince Boateng

October 4, 2023
Football

UCL: Galatasaray twice come from behind to stun Man Utd

October 3, 2023
Football

UCL: Wahi grabs winner as Lens upset Arsenal

October 3, 2023
Load More
Next Post
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 27: XXX during the FA Cup Fourth Round match between Chelsea and Sheffield Wednesday at Stamford Bridge on January 27, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** XXX

'Evil' racist abuse of players must stop - Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi

Top Stories

Mfantsipim beats Adisadel College to Fun Games top prize

Louis Van Gaal: There was a deliberate intention to make Lionel Messi win the World Cup

CAR head coach warns Ghana – Your next AFCON will be like the last one

Bernard Osei writes: Explaining what is wrong with Chelsea

RSS Citi Podcasts

  • Eyewitness News, Tuesday, 3rd October, 2023 October 3, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Citi Breakfast Show, Tuesday, 3rd October, 2023 October 3, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Eyewitness News, Monday, 2nd October, 2023 October 2, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Citi Breakfast Show, Monday, 2nd October, 2023 October 2, 2023 Citi97.3
  • The Big Issue: Alan Kyeremanten's independent candidacy: A third emerging? | Saturday, 30th September, 2023 September 30, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Sports Panorama, Friday, 29th September, 2023 September 29, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Eyewitness News, Friday, 29th September, 2023 September 29, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Interview with Deputy Executive Director of ITC, Dorothy Tembo | Citi Business Edition September 29, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Eyewitness News, Thursday, 28th September, 2023 September 28, 2023 Citi97.3
  • Auto Show, Thursday, 28th September, 2023 September 28, 2023 Citi97.3
Citi Sports Online

© 2023 Citi Sports Online

  • Home
  • News
  • Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • World Cup
  • AFCON

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Local Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • World Cup
  • AFCON

© 2023 Citi Sports Online

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Citi Sports Cookie Policy
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT