Jurgen Klopp has made a “special game” demand from his Liverpool squad when they welcome Manchester United to Anfield this Sunday in the Premier League.
Liverpool have had a good start to the season. Liverpool’s journey has been notably favourable, securing the leading position in the Premier League standings. Also, they have progressed to the last 16 of the Europa League and reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Conversely, the atmosphere at Old Trafford has been dismal. Manchester United have encountered a faltering start to the campaign, facing elimination from the Champions League midweek following a lackluster 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich. Remarkably, Erik ten Hag’s squad has conceded three or more goals in nine separate matches this season.
Liverpool appear poised to clinch another triumph against the Red Devils this weekend, with recollections of their remarkable 7-0 win from the previous season still vivid.
Despite the resounding seven-goal win in their last encounter, Klopp has indicated that the upcoming match won’t be as straightforward. He urges the Reds to elevate the occasion, emphasising the importance of making it a “special game” at Anfield.
Speaking in his pre-match conference, he stated: “The 7-0 we knew on the day was a freakish result that happens once in life pretty much.
“And if it helps anybody for the next game, it’s the team who lost 7-0 and not the team who won 7-0, that’s another thing. If you take it all out of consideration then we just play a football game against the rival, the historical rival, of Liverpool FC, at home at Anfield.
“That itself must make it a special game and that’s what I want to see from us: a special game. Really understand the situation and give your all – that’s all I need.”
Liverpool have started the season impressively, rebounding from a lackluster 2022/23 campaign. The Reds attribute their recent triumphs to notable late comeback victories.
Commenting on the impact of these successes on the mindset of this rejuvenated Liverpool squad, Klopp stated: “Yeah, it came rather from that [comeback victories].
“I knew at the beginning [of the season] we have a really good football team. We brought a really good few boys, and actually the boys who were here we all knew how good they can be. So that was obvious from pretty early.
“But what is that? Tell me one Premier League squad who is not good, that is just existing. Especially if you fight for the top four, they are all outstanding so that’s what you have to be.
“These experiences, we said it when it happened early, early in the season; we had a good pre-season, a long pre-season and we didn’t train once 10v11 and had to play it pretty much for the first five games all the time! We did that really well and yeah, that brings a group together obviously.
“That helps the process definitely if you get through it. If you don’t get through it, it’s the opposite actually. But we got through this and that was extremely helpful.
“It’s now a while ago, we know each other much better. It’s still new but we know each other much better and the steps we make I like. Will they always be big enough? I don’t know yet, we have to see that.”
Liverpool face a crucial weekend, requiring a victory to maintain their lead over Arsenal and Aston Villa in the Premier League. Meanwhile, reigning champions Manchester City are just four points behind the Reds.
Following the clash with Man Utd, Liverpool are set for a Carabao Cup quarter-final against West Ham. Subsequently, they will face a challenging home match against Arsenal in the league.
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