Jurgen Klopp hits out at the ‘insane’ schedule but warns Inter Milan that there will be no let offs
Speaking in a press conference ahead of the second leg between Liverpool and Inter Milan as quoted by the Mirror, Jurgen Klopp has called the scheduling of fixtures for his side ‘insane’ but warned Simone Inzaghi’s side that they will not be taking the fixture lightly.
The Reds beat Inter 2-0 at the Giuseppe Meazza in the first leg and already have one foot in the quarter final of the UEFA Champions League. Despite this, the German manager is not taking it easy and has warned the Italian champions that Liverpool will not sit back and try to play conservatively. He has stated in no uncertain terms that the only way they know to play is on the ‘front foot’.
“They want to attack the game, but we are a team who always want to attack the game – and that is what we try to do.
“We are not a team who sits back and defends”
Klopp went on to add that the only way to counter the ‘insane’ schedule that the Reds have is by rotation and hinted that we could see changes for the game against the Nerazzurri.
The Reds’ boss will be boosted by the returns of Thiago Alcantara, Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino, all three of whom have been passed fit for this game. This gives him a fully fit squad to choose from going into the business end of the season.
While it is expected that both Thiago and Matip could start the game, Klopp acknowledged the fact that Firmino may need some more time to get up to speed and may have to be content with a spot on the bench.
“Thiago was only a week out. Joel was only three or four days”
“With Bobby, it was longer out. So we have to see”
Klopp also warned his team against getting complacent and said that they could be in for a touch game at Anfield. A 2-0 lead is not insurmountable and Klopp is right to keep his side on their toes.
What is on the horizon for Klopp and the Reds?
Klopp’s side have six games to play in the next 25 days, starting with the tie against Inter tonight. It also includes trips to Brighton, Arsenal and Man City. Liverpool are currently fighting on all fronts and could be in for a grandstand finish to the campaign.
Despite Klopp constantly hitting out at the hectic schedule, he knows that he has to roll with it and concentrate on the games ahead. Liverpool are blessed with a huge squad with some insane quality and the German manager will have to rotate wisely to make sure all his players are fit and ready for the business end of the season.
The fact that Liverpool still find themselves in the reckoning in all the competitions is a testament to how brilliant they have been this season, but it is also why they find themselves with such a hectic schedule. Klopp will be hoping that the number of injuries between now and the end of the season is as minimal as possible.
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Liverpool are in the hunt for an unprecedented quadruple and have to fight their way through this hectic schedule if they are to achieve it. Starting from tonight’s clash against the defending Italian champions, Liverpool will have to put in consistent performances as they have done so far this season.
Klopp has done just that all season and just how well he can pull it off now could determine where his side ends up come the end of the season.
