Jurgen Klopp’s Chelsea preview: “Both teams want to show a reaction, we have to be ready”

Jurgen Klopp’s Chelsea preview: “Both teams want to show a reaction, we have to be ready”

Jurgen Klopp expects Liverpool to face a Chelsea side determined to strike back strongly in the Premier League on Tuesday night.

The Reds travel to the capital to face the Blues for a weekday match at Stamford Bridge, with the hosts waving off manager Graham Potter before the match.

Interim boss Bruno Saltor will take his place on the bench for kick-off at 20:00 BST following Saturday’s defeat to Aston Villa as Klopp’s men look to put their defeat to Manchester City behind them in the end week.

Although Liverpool are facing a rapid turnaround, Klopp knows his side need to deliver an exemplary performance to secure a positive result.

Asked about Chelsea’s takeover at a press conference on Monday, Klopp said: “Perhaps [it will have] the normal impact after a manager leaves. “I don’t know now, you told me obviously the coaching staff will stay, and we don’t have a real session between the final and tomorrow night’s match. So obviously we have a session today, but from a viewing point of view.” you can’t do mentally and physically intense things, so it’s more talk.

“They definitely will. But I’m pretty sure Chelsea, the players, want to show a reaction, whatever, it always is. When you watched Bayern’s match against Dortmund, for whatever reason there was a comment. That’s all.

“Aside from that, I think there could be some rotation: Kante is back, other players, Mason [Mount] got injured, I think, he sat on the bench [over the weekend] for the first time, he could play. So system-wise configuration might change, I don’t know. They’ve changed systems during the season, but we expect more of the same as in the last few games.”

On the need to see a reaction from the Reds, Klopp continued: “The worst possible. We need [one], absolutely. “So, again, super weird play [at Man City]; OK first half, terrible second half. We said it. It’s unacceptable, but it happened anyway, and now we have to make sure we’re ready. That’s all.”