Klopp discusses Brighton’s unique style, Liverpool’s injuries, and the importance of Anfield’s atmosphere on Sunday.
Ahead of Liverpool’s pivotal match against Brighton this Sunday, Jürgen Klopp held a press conference where he shared his insights on the team’s preparation, player fitness, and the tactical prowess of Brighton under Roberto de Zerbi.
Klopp’s admiration for Xabi Alonso’s work at Bayer Leverkusen was evident, noting, “Xabi is doing an incredible job, they have a good team, will probably keep the team together,” reflecting on the managerial acumen of his former player.
Regarding Liverpool’s own squad, Klopp provided updates on Darwin Nunez’s progress, mentioning, “He did rehab during the week, trained first day partially,” signaling a cautious approach to the striker’s return.
On the injury front, Klopp offered some optimism, stating, “Ibou was extra rest day nothing else. From next week on, step by step, they (others) will join parts of team training, not too far away,” hinting at a bolstered squad in the near future.
Klopp’s respect for Brighton and their coach, Roberto de Zerbi, was palpable. He described de Zerbi’s impact as “quite impressive” and acknowledged Brighton’s unique style of play, which he admitted was not something he could replicate.
“It’s a really different way, I couldn’t coach that, it’s a good watch, very demanding for the players,” Klopp said, highlighting the challenge that lies ahead.
The Liverpool manager also emphasized the necessity of possession and readiness against Brighton’s unconventional pressing game. “When they have the ball you have to be ready to suffer, it’s not a normal pressing game,” Klopp noted, underscoring the tactical battle that awaits.
However, his determination to secure a win was clear: “With all respect to Brighton, we want to win this game. We brought ourselves in a position, where we are in a position to fight.”
Looking towards the title race, Klopp rallied his team and the fans, advocating for full commitment and acknowledging the role of luck, especially concerning injuries. “Give absolutely everything. Dig in and go. We need luck, everyone needs luck with injuries now,” he remarked, stressing the importance of having all players available for the season’s critical moments.
Klopp concluded with a call to action for both the team and the supporters, urging Anfield to be a fortress come Sunday. “A lot of answers I’ve liked, everyone is excited about it, rightly so, Anfield must be rocking on Sunday. There we must make the difference,” he stated, envisioning a united front in pursuit of Premier League glory.