Five key points: Klopp's pre-PSG press conference
Jürgen Klopp tackled a wide range of questions from the world’s media as he previewed Liverpool’s Champions League opener with Paris Saint-Germain at an Anfield press conference on Monday.
The Reds get their European campaign up and running on Tuesday night with a mouth-watering encounter with the French champions on Merseyside.
It promises to be an occasion to savour and, as a result, the press room at the stadium was packed out with reporters and television cameras keen to capture the thoughts of Klopp.
Read on for a summary of five key points from the media briefing…
No negative impact…
Liverpool’s clash with PSG is their second fixture of seven in just 23 days.
Klopp was asked whether the onset of the Champions League had a negative impact on their Premier League form last season, particularly given how they contested 13 games in the tournament proper after making it all the way to the Kiev final.
“No, there was no impact,” was the manager’s reply. “It was difficult in the end of the season, but we didn’t have the problems because of the Champions League games we played. Of course, if you go far in the competition it is clear that from September until May you will have a lot of games.
“We got the injuries – most of them – in a time when we didn’t play Champions League, January and early February, and that made life difficult. That’s why we played the last part of the season – the last five Premier League games, the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final of the Champions League – with around about 12 senior players, but it was still a good journey and we enjoyed it.”
Built for Champions League…
PSG will arrive at Anfield on Tuesday night boasting one of the most renowned forward lines in world football and Klopp acknowledged the French champions will provide his side with a stern test as they bid to get off to a winning start in Champions League group C.
“Winning the first game is always an advantage, but we haven’t won it yet – we have to play it and it will be really difficult,” he said.
“PSG are one of the favourites for the competition that’s for sure. This team is built for winning the Champions League. It will be an interesting game for sure. With the players they have and the manager they have, they all brought it together to go as far as possible in the Champions League and we are aware of that.”
One to watch…
The teams’ two forward lines have scored a staggering 199 goals between them since the start of last season. Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane have struck 99 times, while Edinson Cavani, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe have hit the century.
Little wonder then Klopp admitted if he wasn’t involved in the game, he’d most certainly be watching it on TV.
“I like these challenges but I only like it because I have a good team – a really good football team – and so that’s why I say, if I would not be the manager, I would watch this game 100 per cent.”
Renewing old rivalries…
Klopp will come up against a familiar face in the opposition dugout tomorrow night in the form of Thomas Tuchel.
Like our boss, the German coached FSV Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund before joining PSG in the summer.
Indeed, he was the man in charge of BVB when they met the Reds in the quarter-finals of the Europa League in 2015-16 – a tie we’re sure you probably remember.
Having won eight of his 12 meetings with Tuchel, Klopp was asked about his record against the 45-year-old.
“Always with records, it is always pretty difficult to explain something because when I was at Dortmund I had a pretty strong side and he was at Mainz and did an outstanding job there, but it’s not really fair to bring that up when you talk about the record,” he said.
“He is an outstanding coach – an outstanding coach – and I really thought it was a smart decision from PSG to sign Thomas Tuchel. He is one of the best I know and that makes it a big challenge for us.”
Need some time to think…
A journalist from France wanted to know which of PSG’s stars Klopp felt will pose the biggest threat to Liverpool tomorrow.
Jürgen’s reply was straight to the point.
“Even if I would think 24 hours or longer about it, I cannot decide.”
Easy work for the interpreter positioned at the top table, although his next translation took over two minutes following a much lengthier answer from the boss, much to Klopp's amusement.