EPL

Klopp calls on fans to back Liverpool team 'with all we have' before transfer window

By Sports Desk February 25, 2023

Jurgen Klopp knows Liverpool will have to make signings at the end of the season, but for now Reds fans must get behind the existing team.

In a difficult season at Anfield, Klopp has noted the strong reaction towards some of his long-standing stars.

Few of the players who have taken Liverpool to three Champions League finals have impressed this term, yet Klopp is asking supporters not to forget their past successes.

While the manager said Liverpool "have to be in the market definitely" before next season, his focus remains on the players at his disposal.

"The only reason I don't like to talk about that now is because there are still a lot of games to play," Klopp said.

"This team is the basis for all what we do and it was always the basis for all what we do.

"Even if people are now in the mood like, 'he can go, he should go', – my God, calm down, please. Go on YouTube and watch an old video and think: 'That's what he did, he threw his heart and soul on the pitch.'

"That doesn't mean we have to be thankful for the rest of his life, but that's still in there, so let's make a decision after the season. As long as we are together, let's support this group with all we have."

Klopp has previously bemoaned the spending power of clubs like Manchester City, Newcastle United and Chelsea, but he is still confident Liverpool will be able to get what they need in the market.

"My job is to make 100 per cent clear what we need from a sports point of view, and then other people are responsible for giving us the resources or whatever," he said.

"I think we played five years in a row in the Champions League, which is massive money, and went to the final three times in that time, which is also massive from a money point of view.

"We built a stand, we built a training ground, and the club is in a really good place, but around us obviously a few people are speeding up a little bit and you cannot ignore that. We cannot ignore these kind of things.

"It is still about finding the right players, not about bringing in a lot, and thank God in the world of football there are a lot of right players.

"Not all of them are affordable or want to come, but there are a lot of really good players out there."

Related items

  • Rodri suggests Arsenal's mentality cost them Premier League title Rodri suggests Arsenal's mentality cost them Premier League title

    Rodri has suggested Arsenal's mentality cost them the Premier League title, after Manchester City became the first team to win four straight English top-flight crowns.

    City edged out Arsenal by two points on the final day of the season, their 3-1 win over West Ham ensuring the Gunners' comeback victory over Everton was immaterial.

    Rodri scored the crucial third goal just before the hour mark to settle nerves at the Etihad Stadium, after Mohammed Kudus had drawn West Ham within one goal.

    City finished the season with nine straight wins after playing out a 0-0 draw with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in late March, while the Gunners dropped three points in a 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa in April.

    Reflecting on that goalless draw, Rodri accused Arsenal of settling for a point and hinted a lack of bravery had cost them.

    Asked by Optus Sport for the secret behind City's success, Rodri pointed to his head as he said: "To be honest, I think it's in here. It's the mentality.

    "Arsenal, also they deserved [to win the league], they did an unbelievable season, but I think the difference was in here.

    "When they came here, they faced us at the Etihad, I saw them and said, 'Ah, these guys, they don't want to beat us, they just want a draw.'

    "That mentality… I don't think we would do it the same way. We caught them. 

    "At the end, if you give us one point, we will win the last seven, eight games even though it's so tough. So I think it comes down to mentality."

    Rodri did not taste defeat in the Premier League throughout 2023-24, with all three of City's losses coming when the Spaniard was suspended.

    He has now gone unbeaten through his last 50 Premier League matches, with only former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell enjoying a longer such streak (56 games between 2002 and 2004).

    City's historic triumph means they have surpassed the achievements of Huddersfield Town (1923-1926), Arsenal (1932-35), Liverpool (1981-1984) and Manchester United (1998-2001 and 2006-2009), all of whom won three straight top-flight titles.

    They could also become the first team to ever win back-to-back league and FA Cup doubles on Saturday, when they face Manchester United in the final of the latter competition at Wembley Stadium. 

  • Xavi unhappy with fans booing Laporta during Rayo Vallecano win Xavi unhappy with fans booing Laporta during Rayo Vallecano win

    Xavi criticised some of the Barcelona fans for booing and negative chants towards club president Joan Laporta during their 3-0 win over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

    Barcelona sealed second place in LaLiga with the victory, also guaranteeing a place in the Spanish Super Cup at the start of 2025.

    However, speculation about Xavi’s future continues to dominate the headlines around the club, with reports suggesting the Spaniard could be sacked despite committing a U-turn to stay at the club after announcing his departure.

    During the game, Xavi received a standing ovation, while some of the fans were heard opposing Laporta.

    "On the one hand, I want to thank the people for being with me on a personal level," Xavi said. "But I don't like it when they point to a person, whether it's the president or a player. We need unity. It's a nasty situation that I don't like."

    A meeting between Xavi and Laporta is reportedly set for the end of the season, and the manager has dismissed claims that he has a bad relationship with the president.

    "We have enough trust so far and a friendly relationship to talk about it [his future]," Xavi said.

    "I understand the whole mess, but I haven't been informed [about being fired]. The confidence hasn't changed, I think. If it changes, we will inform you.

    "I continue with the maximum ambition, absolutely nothing has changed about mine. I want to start next season with the utmost enthusiasm.

    "The president has always been honest, and I'm sure he will continue to be so when we see each other."

  • Howe taking plenty of positives despite frustrating Newcastle campaign Howe taking plenty of positives despite frustrating Newcastle campaign

    Eddie Howe was keen to look at the positives after Newcastle United secured seventh place in the Premier League on Sunday.

    Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes were among the goalscorers as Newcastle won 4-2 at Brentford to finish their Premier League campaign.

    The victory ensured a seventh-place finish, and a Manchester City victory over Manchester United in next Saturday's FA Cup final will confirm Newcastle's place in next season's Europa Conference League.

    While this season did not quite live up to the heroics of last term, which saw the Magpies finish in the Champions League spots, Howe still feels it has been a successful campaign.

    "It summed up our season," Howe told BBC Sport. "We weren't totally secure at the back, but great credit to the players. They've done their job - now we wait and see.

    "We anticipated after losing against Manchester United that our control of the [European] situation had gone. It's never a nice situation, but whatever happens, happens.

    "We have issues to solve defensively. If we can do that, next season could be another season of really strong performances. This was a season that could have been better, but a good season overall.

    "We're a really united club. I think we're still moving forward, so there's a lot to be positive about."

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.