Jürgen's verdict on potential Wembley opponents
Jürgen Klopp insists he has no preference on which team Liverpool face in the Capital One Cup final, though the manager admitted it would be something special for the city if it were to be Everton.
The Reds booked their place at Wembley on February 28 with a 6-5 penalty shootout victory over Stoke City at Anfield after Mark Hughes’ side won 1-0 in the second leg of their semi-final.
Marko Arnautovic’s goal in first-half stoppage time forced the spot-kicks, which were decided in the seventh round when Marc Muniesa saw his saved by Simon Mignolet and Joe Allen kept his nerve.
Reporters at Klopp’s post-match press conference were keen to know if the boss would rather face Manchester City or Everton – the other sides in the last four – in the showpiece next month.
“I heard it would be the biggest thing [to face Everton] – but only if you beat them,” he responded.
“That’s a cool thing. But I can have no influence on it. We will watch the game tomorrow. If it’s normal, Manchester City in their actual shape, one goal down, it seems to be possible.
“We’ll take what it is. For sure, it’s a north of England final. If everything comes together in a good way, then it’s a Merseyside derby at Wembley.
“It [would be] great for the whole town and this city would have deserved it. I can only say the best. It’s great to be here, it’s a great place for football, how they all live together – the Blues and the Reds – in normal life.
“That’s how football should be; if you meet each other, you want to beat each other, that’s great. But any other way, it’s cool. That’s how I understand football. In a derby, do everything to beat them.
“If the whole of Liverpool goes there, it would be good.”