Klopp plays down Liverpool fatigue concerns ahead of season run-in

The Merseyside club, who clinched a Champions League semi-final spot after beating Porto on Wednesday, continue their tussle with Manchester City for the top-flight title when they travel to Cardiff City on Sunday.

Klopp plays down Liverpool fatigue concerns ahead of season run-in

(Reuters)





City, who have a game in hand, face Tottenham Hotspur for the third time in just under two weeks on Saturday.

"We are still in the Champions League and title race. We are not tired," Klopp told a news conference on Friday.

"Training is low intensity because we don't have to do a lot because the boys know it. We have a little session tomorrow and then we go to Cardiff.

"Because of another very strong team in the Premier League, we have to win all our games, and the Champions League is like this anyway in pretty much all the games. Nothing has changed since July -- we are in it, and now we want to win it."

Following a trip to the Welsh capital, Liverpool must prepare for two more bottom-half clubs Huddersfield Town and Newcastle United and a two-legged European showdown with Spanish champions Barcelona over the next three weeks.

Klopp said his players have benefited from the experience of reaching the Champions League final as well as securing a Premier League top-four finish last year and it could come in handy as they approach another intriguing season finale.

"It's always a challenge but it's not anymore because we are used to it," the German manager added.

"Barcelona? Before then it's Cardiff and Huddersfield and that's exactly the same importance to us than the game after that."

Klopp was pleased with defender Joe Gomez's display on his return from injury against Porto, while midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could also play a part in Liverpool's final few games as he recovers from a serious knee injury.

"Joe looked good," said Klopp. "He played 15, 20 minutes during the week. Will he start? I don't know; we have a lot of players in a lot of rhythm.

"It's good to have him and it's the same for Ox... As long as the other players in training show no drop in form then we stay like it is, but it's very good to have them in contention."

Neil Warnock's Cardiff are aiming to build on Tuesday's victory over relegation rivals Brighton & Hove Albion and give themselves a chance to move out of the bottom three.

"They are now in a good moment. Lots thought they were done a couple of weeks ago," Klopp said.

"We have to be careful of counter-attacks... each set-piece will be a scoring opportunity for Cardiff."





(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Radnedge)


Share
3 min read

Published

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world