Jurgen Klopp says the Liverpool squad were worn out from the intensity of their game against Manchester City yesterday.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, the Liverpool boss said his players were taken a little by surprise at the ferocity of the match.
“The intensity of the game is crazy, like oh my God. All of them are standing there like phew! What was that?!” said Klopp.
Despite the intense nature of the game, the Liverpool manager is looking forward to locking horns with City again this weekend.
“We meet in six days, seven days again, that’s with extra time and a possible penalty shootout but it was good fun, I liked it.”
City catch Liverpool napping
Liverpool are well known for their intense approach to football games, whoever the opposition. So much so that written large outside the home changing room at Anfield is the slogan “Our identity is intensity.”
But Sunday’s heavyweight clash with Pep Guardiola’s team was played at a pace that caught even the Liverpool players by surprise.
City usually take more of a patient approach to games. However on Sunday they appeared to embrace the chaos of the occasion and try to catch Liverpool napping.
It worked early on against Klopp’s men. Perhaps expected a more cagey opening to the game, The Reds couldn’t live with City’s early pressing and wobbled in the opening quarter.
The equalising goal came at the perfect time. Diogo Jota’s slotted finished allowed Liverpool to gain a foothold in a match that looked like it could slip away from them.
Liverpool adjusted better in the second-half where they more-or-less matched City all over the pitch.
Big games on the horizon
The Reds have a punishing run of big games coming up in the next six weeks. A game of such intensity could have a damaging effect on fitness levels heading into the run-in.
Klopp must pick his players up to do it all over again on Saturday at Wembley. Before that though, there’s the small matter of Champions League quarter-final at Anfield.
Liverpool now have the squad depth to compete on all levels this season. Jurgen may have to rest one or two weary legs as Benfica travel to Merseyside with the belief that they can overturn the 3-1 deficit from the first-leg.
While Liverpool were in the fight of their lives this weekend, the Eagles claimed a comfortable 3-1 victory on Saturday. This one isn’t done and dusted yet, The Reds will need to make sure they’re at it from the start Wednesday night.
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