TheNewsGuru

Tag: Jurgen Klopp

  • Liverpool ready to stamp out Roman revival to reach Champions League final

    Liverpool ready to stamp out Roman revival to reach Champions League final

    Jurgen Klopp has warned as Liverpool target a place in the Champions League final, not to make same mistake as Barcelona and underestimate Roma at their fortress Stadio Olimpico.

    Liverpool will not make the same mistake as Barcelona and underestimate Roma at their fortress Stadio Olimpico, Jurgen Klopp has warned as his side target a place in the Champions League final.

    The five-time champions have a 5-2 lead heading into the second leg of a semi-final overshadowed by security concerns and are favourites to reach their eighth final and first since 2007.

    But Roma, who last reached the final in 1984 when they lost on penalties to Liverpool have not conceded a goal at home in the Champions League this season.

    Eusebio Di Francesco’s side beat Chelsea and Barcelona 3-0, with the win over the Spaniards overturning a 4-1 first-leg deficit to put them through to the final four.

    Despite conceding two late goals in last week’s emphatic first-leg win at Anfield, Klopp knows his side’s destiny is in their hands as they bid to seal their place in the May 26 final in Kiev against Real Madrid.

    “After the game, people acted as if we lost, but we won 5-2. And after a week people say Roma ‘only’ need to win 3-0, but that’s quite a result,” Klopp told a press conference in Rome.

    “I’m not here to say anything about Barcelona. In that game, Roma were more than ready.

    “Everybody’s telling us that it’s quite difficult and it’s possible but nobody told Barcelona, because nobody imagined it could happen.

    “I didn’t need a warning but if I did, there it was. We’re in a much better situation than I would have thought before the game, that’s the truth.

    – ‘Fight for our dreams’ –

    “Whatever I say, we still have to play, and I really like that fact.

    “We are here to fight for our dreams, that’s how it is, and we want to go to the final as you can imagine,” the Liverpool boss continued.

    “But that means there is a football game to play and I am really looking forward to it because that’s what you want. You want to play when it is big stakes for the big things, and that is why we are here. It is a great opportunity.”

    Di Francesco insisted his side “want to try and do something big in a stadium with 70,000 people”.

    “The desire to make another miracle happen must push us all to give that extra something.”

    The safety of fans in the Italian capital has overshadowed the build-up, with 3,000 police officers deployed around the city for the match after a Liverpool fan was attacked by hard-core Roma ultras outside the club’s Anfield stadium last week and left in a coma.

    Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum said that the Liverpool squad had been “devastated” to hear about the condition of the fan, Sean Cox.

    “It’s a game and everybody has to be safe and enjoy it,” he said.

    Roma’s players showed their support for Cox by wearing shirts bearing the words “Forza Sean” (Come on Sean) during a training session on Tuesday, but the atmosphere in the city remains tense.

    AFP

  • Vote again on Brexit, Liverpool manager urges

    Britain should vote again on whether or not to leave the European Union Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp told The Guardian on Monday.

    The 50-year-old — whose side face AS Roma at Anfield on Tuesday in their Champions League semi-final first leg clash — says the British people were sold short in the original campaign in 2016 in terms of the information they were fed.

    Britain voted to leave the European Union in 2016 but it was a close run thing — 51.9%-48.1%.

    “When Mr (David) Cameron (the then Prime Minister) had the idea (of a referendum) you thought: ‘This is not something people should decide in a moment.’” said Klopp.

    “The choice was either you stay in Europe, which is not perfect, or you go out into something nobody has any idea how it will work.

    “So you give people the chance to make this big decision. And then it’s a 51-49 vote and you’re thinking: ‘Wow, 49% are not happy with the decision that’s going to change the country.’

    “Let’s sit together again. Let’s think about it again and let’s vote again with the right information -– not with the information you’ve got around the Brexit campaign.

    “They were obviously not right, not all of them. It makes no sense at all.”

    Klopp said history should teach people harsh lessons from the past when there has been division.

    “History has always shown that when we stay together we can sort out problems,” he said.

    “When we split then we start fighting. There was not one time in history where division creates success. So, for me, Brexit still makes no sense.”

    However, the charismatic German is adamant despite being touted by some for a future political career in Germany he will not be seeking to follow in the footsteps of present German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

    “Angela Merkel has two weeks off a year,” said Klopp, who credits Merkel as ‘doing an unbelievable job’.

    “That’s less holiday than I have which means that’s absolutely not my target.”

    AFP

  • EPL: Liverpool held to a goalless draw in Merseyside derby

    Liverpool were held to a drab goalless draw by Everton in a merseyside derby, the Premier League fixture sandwiched between their Champions League quarter-final ties against Manchester City.

    Reds boss Jurgen Klopp made five changes from the 3-0 win over City in midweek, choosing not to risk Premier League top scorer Mohamed Salah.

    And, as the game wore on, he substituted midfielder James Milner and forward Sadio Mane, perhaps with one eye on Tuesday’s second leg at Etihad Stadium.

    The draw meant Liverpool missed the chance to move above Manchester United into second – they are a point behind their north west rivals, who have two games in hand.

    In a largely subdued first half, both home goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and the visitors’ Loris Karius were extended.

    After the break, the only heated moments came when Wayne Rooney reacted angrily to being substituted, and Danny Ings and Seamus Coleman briefly clashed.

    The hosts pushed hard for a winner late on, but missed four good chances as it finished honours even.

    Everton, who stay ninth, have gone 15 league derbies without a win, going back to a 2-0 victory in October 2010.

    Referee Michael Oliver did not book anyone, only the second time that has happened in a Merseyside derby in the Premier League.

    During the post-match interviews with BBC Sport, both managers gave analysis and spoke on the outcome of the derby match.

    Everton manager Sam Allardyce said while: “Dominating the last 15 minutes could have given us the opportunity to win it but we needed more legs.

    “Wayne’s bound to be disappointed to be brought off in a Merseyside derby but I make the decisions and I thought we did the right thing to make those changes to give us a better chance”.

    “I think when you finish the game as strongly as that and put Liverpool under pressure, you can say we’re unlucky”.

    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, said “A point is OK. Everton were always ready to fight but we didn’t give them the opportunity until the late stages. We stopped playing football and were a bit lucky. But that is what we have to take. I think it’s an absolutely deserved draw.

    “For 75 minutes we were completely in charge. I am absolutely OK, it’s not the best day in my life, but let’s carry on. Now we have to focus immediately and be ready again on Tuesday, let’s fight for the next round.”

    BBC

  • klopp says ‘a few idiots killed everything’, for attacking Man City bus

    Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says a “few idiots killed everything” by attacking Manchester City’s team bus at Anfield on Wednesday night before their Champions League quarter-finals encounter.

    Cans, bottles and flares were thrown at the bus as a crowd gathered.

    Merseyside Police are investigating the attack, while Uefa has opened disciplinary proceedings.

    No players or staff were injured but two police officers were hurt.

    Before the match, Merseyside Police had issued a statement saying the two team coaches would “not be taking their usual route” because of “building works and to ensure the safety of fans”.

    Liverpool also shared the statement and asked their supporters “to gather to show their passion and support for the team… in a friendly, respectful and considerate manner”.

    “I have to say apologies again for how things happened before the game,” said Klopp before Saturday’s Merseyside derby against Everton.

    “It’s so strange,” said Klopp. “You go with your own bus through the crowd and it feels fantastic and it’s great. It’s support, it’s passion. We come into the stadium and the first thing I heard was they had smashed the bus of Manchester City and it kills everything.

    “You can’t feel it any more. You give everyone the opportunity to do something good and because of a few idiots it might never happen again.”

    Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah, who has scored 38 goals this season, is an injury doubt to face Everton at Goodison Park.

    Klopp said he will be cautious about playing the Egypt international in the derby.

    “I cannot make Mo available because it is a derby,” the German said. “If he’s a doubt he will not be involved. If they are not 100%, they cannot be involved.”

    BBC
  • UCL: Liverpool charged by UEFA for pre-match disturbance against City

    UCL: Liverpool charged by UEFA for pre-match disturbance against City

    Liverpool have been charged by the European football body, UEFA over the disturbances at their Champions League quarter-final encounter with Pep Guardiola side Manchester City on Wednesday.

    Disciplinary proceedings have been opened by European football’s governing body after a raft incidents, which overshadowed a stunning 3-0 first leg quarter-final win for Jurgen Klopp’s side at Anfield.

    The Reds have been charged with four separate breaches of Article 16 of UEFA’s disciplinary regulations relating to the behaviour of Liverpool supporters.

    Liverpool charged due to acts of damage, crowd disturbance, throwing of objects, and setting off of fireworks.

    The charges of setting off fireworks and throwing of objects relate to incidents from inside the ground and the charges of acts of damage and crowd disturbances relate to incidents involving the Manchester City FC team bus.

    Under Article 16, Liverpool are partly responsible for the order and security both inside and around the stadium before, during and after matches.

    They are liable for incidents of any kind and may be subject to disciplinary measures and directives unless they can prove that they have not in any way been negligent in the organisation of the match.

    They are also liable to ensure their supporters behave appropriately irrespective of any negligence in relation to the organisation of the match.

    The case will not be heard by UEFA’s disciplinary body until May 31 after the final, meaning any sanctions would apply only next season.

    Sky Sports

  • UCL: Liverpool vs Man City preview, squad news

    Liverpool welcome in-form Manchester City to Anfield as both sides contest for the first leg quarter finals of Uefa Champions League.

    Jurgen Klopp’s side are one of just four teams to beat Pep Guardiola’s impressive City this season , having won 4-3 in January and will be looking to repeat that feat to set one foot into the semi-final.

    Nevertheless, City put five past the Reds back in September, showing that they are more than capable and fit of putting their Premier League competitors to the sword.

    The two Premier league clubs are among the most prolific scorers in this season’s competition, amassing 47 goals between them, and their previous meeting suggests that there will be goals galore in the match.

    TEAM NEWS:

    Liverpool have confirmed that Joel Matip is set to undergo surgery on a thigh injury, which means he is out of the game, while full-back Joe Gomez is ruled out after sustaining an ankle injury during international duty with England.

    Adam Lallana is a doubt for the match after being forced off in the game against Crystal Palace, as is Emre Can.

    Potential Liverpool starting XI: Karius; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Lovren, Robertson; Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wijnaldum; Salah, Mane, Firmino.

    On the other-side, City have indicated that John Stones will be assessed closer to kick-off, while Benjamin Mendy is nearing a return to full fitness but is not likely to be involved. While Guardiola had indiciated Sergio Aguero was in the mix, he did not travel with the squad to Liverpool.

    Fabian Delph is a concern and the midfielder turned full-back will undergo a late fitness test.

    Potential Man City starting XI: Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Danilo; Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Sterling, D. Silva, Sane; Jesus.

    Bayern Munich defender Mats Hummels said that every team wanted to avoid Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-final and Man City were no different, as Txiki Begiristain’s immediate response to the draw revealed.

    The City director of football was none too pleased to see his side paired with the Merseyside outfit and with good reason: they are one of, if not the, most dangerous teams left in the competition.

    Klopp has promised that there will be ‘fire’ in the match, a sentiment that is easy to understand given both sides’ emphasis on attack and the intensity at which they play their football.

    “If I have the choice to watch a Champions League game, I would watch this one,” Klopp said. “It’s about tactics but there will be fire, that’s cool, it’s at Anfield, so a good atmosphere to watch.”

    Indeed, with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino on one side and Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne on the other, neutrals in particular will be relishing the prospect.

    BBC

  • Klopp predicts fiery UEFA Champions League clash against Manchester City

    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists “there will be fire” when the Merseyside club faces Manchester City in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League showdown.

    The German said his confidence was hinged on the fact that his team, at their best, were capable of defying the odds to reach the semi-finals.

    Manchester City visit Anfield in the first leg of their quarter-final tie, resuming a rivalry which has seen 12 goals scored in the last two meetings between the teams.

    “If I had the choice to watch a UEFA Champions League game on Wednesday I would watch this one,” Klopp told reporters.

    “It is about tactics, but there will be fire in the game. So, that’s cool. And it’s at Anfield anyway. So, a good atmosphere to watch.”

    Liverpool suffered a 5-0 league defeat at the Etihad Stadium in September after forward Sadio Mane was sent off.

    But they exacted their revenge with a 4-3 win at Anfield in January, which remains City’s only English Premier League defeat of the season.

    In spite of the defeat, Pep Guardiola’s side remains 16 points clear at the top of the standings.

    Klopp accepts it will be difficult to knock Manchester City out over two legs in Europe.

    “Did we think before the first game we would lose 5-0? No. Did we think before the second we would win 4-3? No. But do we know we have a chance? Yes,” he added.

    “Actually that was clear before, but they are the favourites. We should finish the game with 11 first of all, that would be cool. We know it’s difficult.

    “At specific moments we are on a similar level, but they have been much more consistent, and that’s why they are higher in the league. We see our chance, but we know it will be unbelievably difficult.”

    Both teams warmed up for the tie with away league wins over the weekend.

    Liverpool cemented their third-place position in the table with a 2-1 triumph at Crystal Palace, while Manchester City eased to a 3-1 victory over Everton at Goodison Park.

    Reuters

  • Liverpool: Nothing decided on Emre Can future – Klopp

    Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp says “nothing is decided” on the future of midfielder Emre Can and contract talks are ongoing.

    The German international deal runs out at the end of the season and he has been heavily linked with a move to Italian champions Juventus.

    However, Klopp said negotiations with the 24-year-old remain “open”.

    “We are in talks with him and it’s all good so far – apart from him signing a contract. That’s all,” Klopp said.

    Can joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen for £10m in 2014 and has played 166 times for the club.

    The midfielder made 37 appearances so far this season, but is a doubt for Saturday’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace because of a back injury.

    Liverpool host Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday, but Klopp insists his focus remains solely on the trip to Selhurst Park.

  • UCL: Liverpool draw Porto to reach quarter-finals since 2009

    Liverpool are through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2009 after a 0-0 second-leg draw at Anfield gave them a 5-0 aggregate win over Porto in their last-16 tie.

    Sadio Mane acrobatically fired an effort over the bar and hit the post in a generally tame first half that also saw Dejan Lovren head narrowly wide.

    Majeed Waris’ strike in the second half was Porto’s only shot on target.

    The Reds took a 5-0 lead into the game.

    It was always likely this might be a quiet affair with Liverpool having already done the damage in Portugal on Valentines Day.

    Jurgen Klopp used the opportunity to rest players for Liverpool’s Premier League match against Manchester United on Saturday, making five changes to the starting line-up.

    Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah were named among the substitutes but the Egyptian did have a cameo in the second half as Mane was given a breather.

    There was also a chance for Joe Gomez and Adam Lallana to gain further fitness following returns from injury – while Danny Ings enjoyed some rare game-time as a second-half substitute.

    Liverpool will discover their quarter-final opponents when the draw is made on 16 March. The ties will be played in the first and second weeks of April.

     

    BBC