Summary of Jürgen Klopp’s pre-match press conference against Leeds

Summary of Jürgen Klopp’s pre-match press conference against Leeds

covered a wide range of topics during his press conference before Liverpool’s game against Leeds United on 17 April. He talked about how difficult it would be to play away to the Snow Leopards, how the Reds have nothing to lose in their remaining matches and the different approach he takes in training when there are several days available to prepare for an opponent.

Leeds play their home games at Elland Road, a place they have lived in since the club’s formation in 1919. Klopp says it will be a challenge to walk away from that venerable venue with all 3 points.

“A great fight, a great fight,” he said. “So we expect them to be absolutely vigilant, huge fights, good atmosphere. It will be tough but now we have to build on two games which have been good, very good at times and for different reasons – and the second half against Arsenal in particular was clearly very good and we have to build on that. This is what we will try.

With just a handful of games left in the season, Liverpool’s fate looks sealed. But that won’t stop the Reds from climbing as high up the Premier League table as possible.

“Yes, we actually have nothing to lose,” Klopp said. “We’re in a position where we don’t want to sit at the table, which means we have to act a bit like that. We have to try new things, we have to fight for it, that’s all. The things we have tried so far this season have not worked well and above all they have not been consistent, and we have to bear with that. Especially from the moment we scored our goal [against Arsenal], we were really in the game and then it was also a top performance, so it’s good.”

Go to extension

The Reds haven’t seen the ground for eight days, so Klopp used extra time to cover all the bases, something he admits he doesn’t have time for when Liverpool play several games in a week.

“You get to experience pretty much everything that’s important in football. You can work on defensive stuff, you can work on offensive stuff. You can finish, you can even resist if you want. You can do anything. In such a long week you really have time to train. In a short week, you make up the most time and provide all the information in meetings – that’s a huge difference. That is a week where you become a coach again and not just a coach who picks the team and decides the tactics and stuff like that. This is a good guide. I enjoy it immensely.

LFC Globe verdict

Klopp looked more relaxed at this press conference. The Reds are playing better and he is under a little less pressure as the club are unlikely to climb far enough up the table to make it to the Champions League. As he said now, they have nothing to lose. Let’s see if that Leeds (pun intended) can play better in this match