Liverpool will give Europa League full respect, says manager Jurgen Klopp
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Jurgen Klopp is aiming to reach the Europa League final again, after his side lost to Sevilla in the 2016 title decider.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – Liverpool will approach the Europa League in the “right manner” and have the squad depth to be successful in both the Premier League and Europe’s second-tier competition, manager Jurgen Klopp said.
The six-time European champions, who finished fifth in the English top flight last season, have missed out on the Champions League for the first time since Klopp’s first full campaign in 2016-17.
The Reds reached the final of the 2016 Europa League – they lost 3-1 to Spanish side Sevilla – under the German and he said reaching the title decider was the target once again.
“First and foremost, I think we all have to make sure that we all respect the competition in the right manner, that we respect the opponents in the right manner,” Klopp told TNT Sports.
“I would love to go to the final, obviously, but I have no clue if we can reach that because there will be a lot of fantastic football teams in between us and that target, so we have to make sure we perform.”
Liverpool kick off their Europa League campaign with a trip to Austria's LASK on Thursday before hosting West Ham United in the Premier League on Sunday.
Klopp also said that while the talent coming through Liverpool’s academy means the “future’s bright” for the club, he would not use the Europa League as a proving ground for young players.
“We have real talent there, but it is not experimental,” he added.
“I think if we don’t get hit by an injury crisis, then we should have enough players to field Thursday and Sunday a top team, and that’s pretty much the idea.”
Conference League winners West Ham are also in Europa League action when they host Serbian club Backa Topola, while Brighton & Hove Albion will welcome Greece’s AEK Athens in their first-ever European match.
AEK’s visit to the Amex Stadium is the kind of occasion that would have been unthinkable in the past. But the Seagulls now possess one of the most admired business models in world football which has brought them success.
Clubs seek to emulate their ability to scour the globe for obscure youngsters such as Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and Marc Cucurella, all developed into assets that commanded huge transfer fees in relation to their initial cost.
The formula helped Brighton to sixth place in the Premier League last season and, with it, a Europa League spot.
“There is definitely a broader awareness of Brighton now,” said chief executive Paul Barber.
“One European club I spoke to takes a feed of all our games and their coaching staff sit down on Monday mornings and watch them from start to finish.” REUTERS, AFP
