Jurgen Klopp is hoping for improvement from Liverpool as his side prepare to face Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend.
Liverpool take on Manchester City for the second weekend in a row on Saturday, as the two meet in a FA Cup semi-final showdown just six days after an enthralling 2-2 draw in the Premier League.
Both sides also progressed to the Champions League semi-finals in midweek, though City had the more demanding contest after travelling to Spain for a bruising encounter with Atletico Madrid.
Klopp admits that travelling for European fixtures can be ‘intense’, but was unsure whether City’s trip to Madrid hands his side an advantage after a home fixture in midweek.
“I saw the highlights. We had it last week, before City we had a (European) away game,” he told his pre-match press conference. “Travelling is intense.
“Will it give us an advantage? I’ve no idea. I haven’t seen the complete City game yet but I’ll watch this afternoon.”
The two teams are separated in the Premier League by just a single point at present, having played out an entertaining draw at the Etihad on Sunday.
Liverpool twice came from behind but were second-best for much of the contest and Klopp admits there is much room for improvement from the Reds.
“We think a lot about these games. City were really strong last week and we were not at our best,” he admitted.
“So I’d like to see a game where we are at our best. Why don’t we give that a try? If it’s 2-2 again then it’s 120 minutes then it’s penalties, that would be really crazy to go all the way.
“The boys did a lot of good stuff in the game, but there were a couple of things and I know that we can perform to a different level.”
The FA Cup is the only domestic honour missing from Klopp’s collection after Carabao Cup success earlier this season, with Liverpool having reached this stage for the first time under the German’s management.
Klopp described the occasion as ‘massive’ for his team and spoke on his hope that the club’s fans can overcome travel difficulties to create a feverish atmosphere at Wembley.
“The FA Cup is a massive competition. So far we couldn’t even get to the semis, so it’s our first experience of a semi-final at Wembley, but better late than never. Now we are there it means everything to us.
“I hope the fans can get to London, I think the trains have stopped, and we have the atmosphere that a semi-final between Manchester City v Liverpool deserves.”
Liverpool won the League Cup on penalties against Chelsea in February and Klopp confirmed his side have once again prepared for the eventuality of a shootout.
“We do that. Quite frequently around cup games. It could have gone to penalties last night so the boys should remember which corner to choose.”
