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Liverpool face toughest Champions League group, says Klopp Liverpool (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp says his Liverpool team face the “strongest” Champions League group since he joined the club, defending the competition’s current format as he prepares for Wednesday’s blockbuster clash against AC Milan. Klopp’s Reds will face seven-time European champions AC Milan, Spanish league title holders Atletico Madrid and 2004 Champions League winners Porto in a daunting Group B. European football’s governing body UEFA earlier this year announced a new format for the Champions League from 2024 — replacing the 32-team group stage with a single league made up of 36 clubs. That prompted fears that the quality of the tournament would be diluted, with managers also speaking out over player workloads. Klopp told his pre-match press conference on Tuesday that the make-up of Liverpool’s group this season showed the strength of the current format. “This is the strongest group since I’m at Liverpool, no doubt about that,” said the German, whose side were crowned European champions in 2019. “I never understand that when people talk about changes in the Champions League. It’s just the right thing. “I like the Champions League how it is. This group shows there are no games where people think, ‘Do we really want to watch that?'” Wednesday’s match at Anfield features two teams who have been crowned European champions 13 times between them and is a re-match of the 2005 final in Istanbul, when Liverpool recovered from a 3-0 half-time deficit to win on penalties. Milan gained revenge when they defeated Liverpool 2-1 in the 2007 final in Athens. Stefano Pioli’s Rossoneri are a force to be reckoned with once more after failing to qualify for Europe’s top club competition for seven consecutive seasons. Klopp predicted Liverpool’s group would be “exciting from the first second to the last second”. “I can’t see early decisions made in this group,” he said. “That keeps us on our toes — it’s exactly what we wanted.” Klopp said he relished the return of crowds after they were largely shut out last season due to the coronavirus pandemic. “Unbelievable stadiums, great crowd, passionate fanbase — it’s exactly how we want football,” said the 54-year-old. The Liverpool boss also said 18-year-old midfielder Harvey Elliott was having surgery on his ankle on Tuesday after he was stretchered off during the 3-0 win at Leeds at the weekend following a challenge by Pascal Struijk. “I spoke to him the night after the game and he was in the best possible place at that moment,” said Klopp. “Today he is in London and will have surgery today. We all wait for news from that.”

Liverpool (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp says his Liverpool team face the “strongest” Champions League group since he joined the club, defending the competition’s current format as he prepares for Wednesday’s blockbuster clash against AC Milan. Klopp’s Reds will face seven-time European champions AC Milan, Spanish league title holders Atletico Madrid and 2004 Champions League winners Porto in a daunting Group B. European football’s governing body UEFA earlier this year announced a new format for the Champions League from 2024 — replacing the 32-team group stage with a single league made up of 36 clubs. That prompted fears that the quality of the tournament would be diluted, with managers also speaking out over player workloads. Klopp told his pre-match press conference on Tuesday that the make-up of Liverpool’s group this season showed the strength of the current format. “This is the strongest group since I’m at Liverpool, no doubt about that,” said the German, whose side were crowned...

Liverpool’s top-four chance may have gone, says Klopp London (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool’s chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League may be over with the club languishing seven points behind fourth-placed Chelsea. Liverpool have a match in hand over Thomas Tuchel’s men but Chelsea are full of confidence after reaching the Champions League final. By contrast, the defending Premier League champions, who have five games left to play, conceded damaging late equalisers in their past two matches to leave them well off the pace. Klopp accepts that even taking into account season-ending injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip — with captain Jordan Henderson also sidelined since February — they have fallen short. Liverpool, European champions in 2019, face the prospect of playing Europa League football next season. “We drew the last two so it didn’t help,” Klopp said on Friday. “I’m not sure there is still a chance but we’ll try to make sure that if there is one, we will be there. “We could be fifth or fourth of course, we should have done better in specific moments, but with the title we couldn’t deal with the injuries as well as we wanted.” The Liverpool boss, whose side host Southampton on Saturday, said his team had suffered too many injuries in key positions to stay competitive. “I know people think that’s an excuse,” he said. “But it’s like in the moment when we lost our full defence it felt like you break your leg. “That’s OK, you can still limp with that. But then we had to make our midfielders, to transform them, into defenders. Then we broke pretty much our spine on top of that and then it’s difficult to move.” The German said initially Liverpool, who topped the table in January, kept winning despite their problems. “But we always knew it is a long season to come and if anything else happens then we will struggle,” he said. “And that’s what happened.”

London (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool’s chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League may be over with the club languishing seven points behind fourth-placed Chelsea. Liverpool have a match in hand over Thomas Tuchel’s men but Chelsea are full of confidence after reaching the Champions League final. By contrast, the defending Premier League champions, who have five games left to play, conceded damaging late equalisers in their past two matches to leave them well off the pace. Klopp accepts that even taking into account season-ending injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip — with captain Jordan Henderson also sidelined since February — they have fallen short. Liverpool, European champions in 2019, face the prospect of playing Europa League football next season. “We drew the last two so it didn’t help,” Klopp said on Friday. “I’m not sure there is still a chance but we’ll try to make sure that if there is one, we will be there. “We could be fifth or...

Van Dijk return this season would be a ‘miracle’, says Klopp London (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp says it would be a “miracle” if Virgil van Dijk played again this season after signing Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak to combat Liverpool’s defensive crisis. The Netherlands captain has been out of action after suffering knee ligament damage against Everton in October. The club’s other senior centre-backs, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are also long-term absentees. “No doctor told me there’s a chance for Virgil to play again this season,” Klopp said on Tuesday. “I don’t want to say it’s impossible but it’s not likely.” He added: “I think we have space for Virgil on the Champions League list. If we have space for it, then Virgil will be on the (Premier League) list. “If there is no space, we have to make a decision. If he is on the list it is only because we hope for a miracle — that is it.” The injury crisis forced the club to make a last-minute dip into the transfer market to sign Davies from Championship side Preston for an initial £500,000 ($680,000) and bring in Schalke’s Kabak on loan. “At the moment we are without our first four centre-back choices and only one of them will come back in the next weeks and that is Fabinho — and he is a six (midfielder),” said Klopp. “Our problem is always if one more thing happens then we don’t know what to do. It is not perfect, the January window is not my favourite window. “We have solutions here and now we have more options. For both players it is a big chance and for us as well.” Klopp admits in normal circumstances he would not have gone to the Championship to bring in a player in January but was impressed with what he saw. “I was a second division player myself and we all dreamt of playing in the first league,” he said. “Ben did that as well and now it is a big opportunity for both sides. “I am a big believer in opportunities and taking chances. Ben sees it the same way.” On Kabak, who was on Liverpool’s radar last year, Klopp added: “In the last few weeks he has had a really tough time. Schalke had a lot of problems this season but that is nothing to do with Ozan. “He has a lot of quality and he is still a talent. In a stable team he can do a lot of things really good.” Liverpool are third in the Premier League table, four points behind leaders Manchester City after two consecutive wins ended a poor spell of results.

London (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp says it would be a “miracle” if Virgil van Dijk played again this season after signing Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak to combat Liverpool’s defensive crisis. The Netherlands captain has been out of action after suffering knee ligament damage against Everton in October. The club’s other senior centre-backs, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are also long-term absentees. “No doctor told me there’s a chance for Virgil to play again this season,” Klopp said on Tuesday. “I don’t want to say it’s impossible but it’s not likely.” He added: “I think we have space for Virgil on the Champions League list. If we have space for it, then Virgil will be on the (Premier League) list. “If there is no space, we have to make a decision. If he is on the list it is only because we hope for a miracle — that is it.” The injury crisis forced the club to make a last-minute dip into the transfer market to sign Davies from Championship side Preston for an initial £500,000 ($680,00...

Chelsea squad ‘a present’ for Tuchel, says Klopp London (AFP) – Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp believes the talent new Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has to work with is a gift for any manager, but expressed his sympathy with Frank Lampard after he was sacked by the Blues. Lampard was dismissed on Monday just 18 months into a three-year contract after a run of five defeats in eight Premier League games that has left Chelsea down in 10th, 12 points off the top. The former England midfielder struggled to make the most of owner Roman Abramovich’s £220 million ($300 million) investment in new players in the summer transfer window after leading Chelsea to a fourth-placed finish and the FA Cup final in his first season in charge. “I think that Chelsea did an incredible job in the transfer market this summer, brought in really good players, and things like this need time. It’s normal,” said Klopp, who took nearly four years to win his first trophy with Liverpool. “It’s really harsh to make that decision really early. Mr Abramovich gives you some chances – players, money – but is not the most patient person in the world.” Tuchel followed in Klopp’s footsteps when taking over at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund earlier in his managerial career. Most recently, the German won two French league titles as Paris Saint-Germain manager before he too was sacked in December. “For Thomas Tuchel it’s great,” added Klopp. “Unfortunately he’s a really good manager, I know him for a long time, I respect him a lot. “This Chelsea squad is a present and I’m pretty sure Thomas sees it like that. They will be good.” Liverpool are going through a dip in form themselves as Klopp’s men are winless in their last five league games and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United on Sunday. The English champions find themselves now seven points adrift of leaders Manchester City and face a daunting run of fixtures over the next month, starting with a trip to Tottenham on Thursday. Liverpool also face three of the top four – West Ham, Manchester City and Leicester – in their next five league games. “In this world we are losing trust and faith much too quickly, everywhere. Everything is great or the opposite. There are so many stages in between. We are working as a team on solutions,” added Klopp. “We want to be the team no one wants to play against. We have the chance to be that team tomorrow then on Sunday and again and again. “We are on fire to strike back. The more negative things are thought or said about us, the more we want it.”

London (AFP) – Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp believes the talent new Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has to work with is a gift for any manager, but expressed his sympathy with Frank Lampard after he was sacked by the Blues. Lampard was dismissed on Monday just 18 months into a three-year contract after a run of five defeats in eight Premier League games that has left Chelsea down in 10th, 12 points off the top. The former England midfielder struggled to make the most of owner Roman Abramovich’s £220 million ($300 million) investment in new players in the summer transfer window after leading Chelsea to a fourth-placed finish and the FA Cup final in his first season in charge. “I think that Chelsea did an incredible job in the transfer market this summer, brought in really good players, and things like this need time. It’s normal,” said Klopp, who took nearly four years to win his first trophy with Liverpool. “It’s really harsh to make that decision really early. Mr Abramovich gives yo...

Transfers are out of my hands, says Klopp London (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said whether any new players come in the January transfer window will not be up to him as he does not hold the purse strings. The German may be keen for fresh blood as the champions have suffered an alarming loss of form going five league games without a win. Thursday’s 1-0 loss to Burnley ended a 68 game unbeaten home run and left them six points adrift of leaders Manchester United — who they play in an FA Cup fourth round tie on Sunday. Injury has deprived Klopp of key central defender Virgil van Dijk but it is up front where their previously irresistible forwards have failed to fire. It is seven hours and 18 minutes since they last found the net in the league. “Of course somebody else is making the decisions,” he said laughing at his press conference on Friday. “It was always like this. “We discuss the situation pretty much on a daily basis, could we improve something or not and we make recommendations but I cannot spend the money. “I never did.” Klopp said he would be taking Sunday’s game at Old Trafford seriously against a side they drew 0-0 in the league at Anfield last Sunday. Klopp left the likes of Mo Salah and Robert Firmino on the bench against Burnley although both came on eventually. “It is a different competition and yes we want to go through and for that we have to play really well,” he said. “United are in a good moment and have got the results so far but we are ready 100 percent.” Klopp had said in the immediate aftermath of the Burnley match that seeing the unbeaten home run end was “a massive punch in the face.” However, on Friday the 53-year-old said it was about looking forwwards. “Sixty-eight matches unbeaten is an incredible number,” he said. “I never spoke about the number (referring to the home unbeaten run) but now it is onto a new series.” Klopp said the players should not take the blame for what did not go right against Burnley. “We go again, no doubt about that,” he said. “I said what I thought after the game. “When things don’t work out as we want them to then there’s an issue. “The issue is that I didn’t tell the boys things clearly enough. “I have to change the way I tell the boys (these things).”

London (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said whether any new players come in the January transfer window will not be up to him as he does not hold the purse strings. The German may be keen for fresh blood as the champions have suffered an alarming loss of form going five league games without a win. Thursday’s 1-0 loss to Burnley ended a 68 game unbeaten home run and left them six points adrift of leaders Manchester United — who they play in an FA Cup fourth round tie on Sunday. Injury has deprived Klopp of key central defender Virgil van Dijk but it is up front where their previously irresistible forwards have failed to fire. It is seven hours and 18 minutes since they last found the net in the league. “Of course somebody else is making the decisions,” he said laughing at his press conference on Friday. “It was always like this. “We discuss the situation pretty much on a daily basis, could we improve something or not and we make recommendations but I cannot spend the mone...

Salah is happy at Liverpool, says Klopp London (AFP) – Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp moved to dismiss speculation over Egypt forward Mohamed Salah’s future saying on Thursday he is happy at the Premier League champions. The 28-year-old gave an interview in Spain last week in which he said Barcelona and Real Madrid were top clubs and “who knows what will happen in the future”. This led to speculation over whether he was seeking a new longer-term contract beyond 2023 or he was upset Trent Alexander-Arnold had been given the captain’s armband for the Champions League group match with Midtjylland. “We do not speak about deals — well, not with you (the media). Why should we start now?” said Klopp at his press conference ahead of Sunday’s game with struggling West Brom. “Mo is in a good mood, always a good moment. He is in really good shape and that is the most important thing for me. “We did not have pictures (from the training ground) this morning but if we did you would have seen him laughing, he enjoyed the session. “All the rest is nice for all of you to write about but internally, no, nothing really.” If Salah is unsettled it has not been reflected by his performances on the pitch this season. He has scored 13 goals in as many league games, missing just one because of Covid-19 isolation. It is his best start to a Premier League term, even better than his debut campaign when he went on to score 32 in 38 appearances having registered 12 goals at the same 14-match stage. He came off the bench last Saturday to score a brace in the 7-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace. “I think there are all these things to talk about: he didn’t start the last game, all the things I heard after about what could be the reason and then he came on and scored two,” said Klopp. “I think in his first season he didn’t start against Stoke, came on and scored two. He obviously doesn’t need a long time.” Klopp said he hoped his players would build on their lead over their rivals — they presently have a four point advantage over Leicester. The Reds have a hectic schedule over the festive period with a home game with Newcastle next Wednesday and Southampton the following Monday. “All the boys were in a good moment, that is why we have the points we have so far,” he said. “Now it is much more important we really keep going. Everyone knows the toughest point of the season is now ahead of us. “The Christmas period is always tough so we have to make sure we get through this with the right results.”

London (AFP) – Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp moved to dismiss speculation over Egypt forward Mohamed Salah’s future saying on Thursday he is happy at the Premier League champions. The 28-year-old gave an interview in Spain last week in which he said Barcelona and Real Madrid were top clubs and “who knows what will happen in the future”. This led to speculation over whether he was seeking a new longer-term contract beyond 2023 or he was upset Trent Alexander-Arnold had been given the captain’s armband for the Champions League group match with Midtjylland. “We do not speak about deals — well, not with you (the media). Why should we start now?” said Klopp at his press conference ahead of Sunday’s game with struggling West Brom. “Mo is in a good mood, always a good moment. He is in really good shape and that is the most important thing for me. “We did not have pictures (from the training ground) this morning but if we did you would have seen him laughing, he enjoyed the session. “All...

‘We could have helped Maradona’, says Klopp Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said Diego Maradona’s life encapsulated the highs and lows of being a world-famous footballer as he lamented that more was not done to help the late Argentine superstar. Maradona died on Wednesday at the age of 60 after a long struggle with addiction to alcohol and drugs, sparking a huge outpouring of emotion for one of the greatest-ever players. Klopp described his one meeting with Maradona as like “meeting the Pope”, but believes the love shown after his death could have helped prevent some of his excesses. “His life shows how nice life can be when you are a world-class footballer and how difficult it can be as well,” the Liverpool boss said on Friday. “He was a very impressive figure. I met him once which, for a player of my level, it was like meeting the Pope to be honest, it was really special. “Football will miss him, I will miss him and you can see in the reactions all over the world if we had shown our love for him without wanting to have a selfie, just showing him the respect he deserves while he was still alive, I think we could have helped him.” – Anfield fan return – Closer to home, Klopp will be able to lead Liverpool in front of their own supporters next weekend for the first time since the club ended a 30-year wait to win a league title. Fans have been shut out of top-level matches in England since March, but a relaxation of coronavirus restrictions will allow supporters back into stadiums in some parts of England. Liverpool and London have been placed into the Tier-2 category based on infection rates, meaning up to 2,000 fans will be able to attend matches. But Premier League clubs based in Tier-3 areas, such as Manchester and Birmingham, are not allowed to open their gates. If the situation improves and areas are put in Tier 1, clubs will be allowed to have up to 4,000 fans. Klopp welcomed the return of supporters and does not believe it will give an unfair advantage to certain clubs. “We are all really waiting for little steps in the right direction, not only in football, in all parts of life,” he said. “These things with tier one, two and three is the best idea we have in the moment in this country. “I understand why there are some discussions (saying) it will be an advantage for some clubs. I said before I knew what tier Liverpool will be in, it’s not an advantage or disadvantage, it’s just making small steps in the right direction.” Liverpool’s clash with Wolves on December 6 will be the first match at Anfield with spectators since a Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid in March.

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said Diego Maradona’s life encapsulated the highs and lows of being a world-famous footballer as he lamented that more was not done to help the late Argentine superstar. Maradona died on Wednesday at the age of 60 after a long struggle with addiction to alcohol and drugs, sparking a huge outpouring of emotion for one of the greatest-ever players. Klopp described his one meeting with Maradona as like “meeting the Pope”, but believes the love shown after his death could have helped prevent some of his excesses. “His life shows how nice life can be when you are a world-class footballer and how difficult it can be as well,” the Liverpool boss said on Friday. “He was a very impressive figure. I met him once which, for a player of my level, it was like meeting the Pope to be honest, it was really special. “Football will miss him, I will miss him and you can see in the reactions all over the world if we had shown our love for him without ...

Firmino is key player in Liverpool ‘orchestra’, says Klopp London (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says Roberto Firmino is a key player in his Anfield “orchestra” despite the Brazil forward’s recent lack of goals for the Premier League champions. Firmino’s header in Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Leicester was only his sixth goal in the whole of 2020. Firmino’s lack of goals is a stark contrast to Klopp’s free-scoring trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota. The 29-year-old has never been viewed as a pure finisher, but criticism of his lack of goals has grown in recent months. However, Klopp, whose side host Atalanta in the Champions League on Wednesday, insists Firmino’s value is measured in more than just goals. “Scoring was always important for Bobby but Bobby is a complete footballer,” Klopp said on Tuesday. “A football team is like an orchestra, you have different people for different instruments, and some of them are louder than others, but they are all important for the rhythm. “Bobby plays like 12 instruments in our orchestra. He’s very important for our rhythm.” Jota’s fine form since joining from Wolves has raised questions about Firmino’s place in the starting lineup, but Klopp said he was not worried about the Brazilian. “I’m not concerned about anything with Bobby, but I know from time to time it happens that he scores a goal,” he said. “This goal was very important, and what I loved most was the reaction of the boys. You saw the celebration, it was really emotional. “Obviously the players read newspapers, unfortunately, and they saw there was some criticism, so they were really happy for him to score.” Liverpool will welcome back Salah after he missed the Leicester game because of a positive coronavirus test while on international duty for Egypt. He has now tested negative. Three points against Atalanta would guarantee progress to the Champions League knockout phase and offer Klopp the chance to rest players. Liverpool have kept four clean-sheets in their past seven matches despite a defensive injury crisis and have yet to concede a goal in three European games this season. “How the boys did it is exceptional — different line-ups, different pairings, but now we have to keep doing it like this, or even better,” Klopp said. “The changes we have to make, we will make, the boys will have to adapt to each other, to different line-ups. “But not all of it is born on the training pitch, because the schedule doesn’t give us time to work on it.”

London (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says Roberto Firmino is a key player in his Anfield “orchestra” despite the Brazil forward’s recent lack of goals for the Premier League champions. Firmino’s header in Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Leicester was only his sixth goal in the whole of 2020. Firmino’s lack of goals is a stark contrast to Klopp’s free-scoring trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota. The 29-year-old has never been viewed as a pure finisher, but criticism of his lack of goals has grown in recent months. However, Klopp, whose side host Atalanta in the Champions League on Wednesday, insists Firmino’s value is measured in more than just goals. “Scoring was always important for Bobby but Bobby is a complete footballer,” Klopp said on Tuesday. “A football team is like an orchestra, you have different people for different instruments, and some of them are louder than others, but they are all important for the rhythm. “Bobby plays like 12 instruments in our o...