Jurgen Klopp admits he is ‘super excited’ as Liverpool prepare for a potentially definitive week in the club’s season.
Liverpool face Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime, the first in is a triple-header of ‘Big Six’ clashes across the next eight days. The Reds travel to Chelsea after their trip to the Etihad this weekend, before hosting Premier League leaders Arsenal at Anfield next Sunday.
It shapes as a crucial week in the club’s season, as Liverpool look to close the gap on the top four and secure Champions League qualification.
“It’s like a Champions League week. I’m super excited,” Klopp said at his pre-match press conference.
“We are not dumb. We know the last game against Madrid wasn’t a good game, before that at Bournemouth wasn’t a good game, the one before [against Manchester United] was world class.
“We have to pick up from there and react to the other two games.”
“For me, yes [the international break came at a good time]. I was ready for a few days without analysing this game again. That’s not what we want to be [Real Madrid second leg]. You can play there and lose there, but we should have showed more there.”
Klopp believes his side can take encouragement from past campaigns, with Liverpool having ‘historically’ finished seasons strongly under his management. The German acknowledges it will take a consistent run of form to secure Champions League football.
“Historically we finish strong. Last year nearly four trophies. This year we’re out early. It brings us back down to ground. It’s gone. Now it’s clear – top four is the one thing we can go for. We don’t have a perfect position but it’s possible.”
