Jürgen Klopp and Adam Lallana face the media at Liverpool’s Melwood media room ahead of the Europa League round of 16 clash at Anfield. This tie is what Klopp appropriately describes as,”the Mother of all football games.”
Klopp maintains the need to remain focused and not get complacent in the face of making progress towards another final this season. Liverpool’s focus remains on the game at hand and not what could happen if the club progresses.
The game kicks off at 8.05pm UK time and will be the first meeting between the two most successful teams in England. Klopp mentioned how he thinks the Europa League is essentially a “mini Champions League” which would have been the idea when the tournament was designed.
After being asked asked about what he thought of Liverpool’s brilliant comeback against Crystal Palace he highlighted how he thought the reaction after going behind really pleased him. Klopp stressed that at this point in the season Liverpool will be looking to take the most from each and every game.
Lallana mentions the team’s disappointment at missing out on winning the Capital One Cup. He missed a spot-kick in the penalty shoot out which eliminated Liverpool. Despite this he went out a few days later and played his heart out and showed why he has been so important for Liverpool of late, with a goal and an assist in Liverpool’s 3-0 rout of Manchester City.
Lallana mentions how he has yet to beat Manchester United since his transfer from Manchester United in 2014. He highlights that even though it is a European match it will be “just like a Premier League tie.” He also says that even though there aren’t a lot of local lads every player realises the relevance and enormity of the game.
The Europa League offers a genuine avenue back into the Champions League and the game against United is the first step. Klopp has stressed that there will be no complacency and Lallana has mentioned how every player is up for it. As usual, it should be a cracker.