Jurgen Klopp calls for Liverpool reaction at Anfield against Arsenal
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Liverpool's manager Jurgen Klopp reacts during the EPL soccer match against Chelsea in London, on April 4.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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LONDON – Jurgen Klopp says his struggling Liverpool team must show “reaction after reaction” when they face English Premier League leaders Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday.
The Reds were 10 points behind the top four before Saturday’s games and face an uphill task to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Liverpool have taken just one point from their past three games – all away – but have won nine of their 13 league matches at Anfield this season.
“We are at home and still have to show reaction after reaction after reaction – we have to – and improvement,” Klopp said on Friday.
“That’s what we will absolutely try on Sunday.”
A much-changed Liverpool side drew 0-0 at Chelsea in midweek
“We have to change, we have to find a basis we can build on,” said Klopp, whose side hammered Manchester United 7-0 in their last home game in early March.
“First step: intensity, desire, passion. Good at Chelsea, really, that was good. The rest, not so much. But it’s fine – let’s go from there.”
Klopp, who admitted his team were low on confidence, said the Anfield factor could be crucial.
“It’s no secret that the combination of our people and the ground and then the boys is a pretty good combination, so that’s what we have to throw in as well – but not relying on it,” he said.
“We have to push the train. In this moment, I have a very good feeling that we can do that.”
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher concurred on the “Anfield factor”, saying on Sky Sports: “Maybe in the back of his (Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s) head, he will be thinking with his staff and his players on the pitch, ‘Don’t bring the crowd into play’.
“The only reason Liverpool fans think they can win this is because it’s at Anfield, it’s a tight pitch, they can create some atmosphere on the terraces.
“Arsenal’s players and staff need to make sure they don’t inflame that by doing a silly tackle or Arteta getting involved with the officials.
“That’s got to be a big part of Arteta’s team talk – how they can quieten the crowd.”
The Gunners have not won a league game at Anfield since Arteta played in a 2-0 win in 2012.
Under Klopp, Liverpool have won the past six league meetings between the sides at home by a combined score of 22-4.
“We have to enjoy it,” Arteta said at his pre-match press conference.
“We really need to embrace the moment and go for it.
“The team is really full of enthusiasm and positivity.
“And we know we have a big challenge but a big opportunity to go to Anfield and do something we haven’t done for many years. That is what is driving the team in the last few days.
“We know what we have to do. We’ve played in the toughest places.”
While Arsenal are flying high and are in pole position to win their first league title since 2004, Klopp said he remained calm despite a disappointing campaign for Liverpool – who came close to winning an unprecedented quadruple last season.
“I’m really calm in this moment,” he said. “You might be surprised but I’m really calm.
“I’m in it, I see everything and I base my decisions on that.
“And, in the end, we will see what the outcome is.
“I cannot do more. And, again, we have to keep going and we will.”
Klopp said Colombian international winger Luis Diaz, out since October with a knee injury, is expected to be available for the match against Leeds United on April 17.
Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara, sidelined for two months with a hip problem, could return against Arsenal while Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk is set to be back after illness forced him to miss the Chelsea game.
Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka is also back from illness after missing their win over Leeds last week. AFP
