Jurgen Klopp gives a preview of Liverpool’s New Year’s Day matchup at Anfield against Newcastle United.
What Jurgen Klopp said in the Liverpool locker room following the “special win” that ignited a championship challenge
Liverpool’s two matches against Newcastle will be crucial moments if they are to succeed in the Premier League this year.
At St. James’ Park on August 27, an enthused home crowd roared for those wearing black and white shirts as the Reds zipped about their visitors with intensity, beginning to appear like yesterday’s players.
When captain Virgil van Dijk was sent off before the half-hour mark, Jurgen Klopp’s team was already behind Anthony Gordon’s opening goal. It appeared that the day would be punishing away from home for a team still in disarray following the summer’s whirlwind, in which several great players had left.
Darwin Nunez’s substitution for the 10 men, after he had somewhat regained control, set up a stunning and unforgettable victory as the Uruguayan striker scored two nearly identical goals late in the game.
Following the game, I remarked, “If we can defend with 10 like this, who has an issue with doing it with 11?” says Klopp. “So, if we do that, it makes things even harder for the opposition, and I don’t have any specific numbers in mind for something that was very essential.
Not because I tell them that we gave up X, Y, and Z goals the previous year, but because it’s obvious it’s the foundation for everything and if we do that, these guys’ offensive talent will manifest itself. It was undoubtedly a memorable and significant day.”
The Reds welcome the Magpies to Merseyside on New Year’s Day for the equivalent fixture, having lost only one of their last 30 Premier League games stretching back exactly nine months. The victory demonstrated the mental toughness inside the ranks at Anfield.
That one loss in that span was on September 30 against Tottenham, where Klopp’s team let up an own goal in stoppage time after two players were sent off and a shocking VAR-related error involving what should have been a valid goal by Luis Diaz.
How much respect that North East 2-1 victory receives in the future will depend on how this season plays out in the second half. But following a December run that saw them capture 14 points out of a possible 18, the Reds are now in the running for the Premier League title, so a season that was supposed to be about stabilizing and rebuilding has suddenly become much more interesting for fans.
If they win three more games against Eddie Howe’s team, they will move three points clear atop the English football standings and bolster the confidence of those who already believe a strong comeback is possible in the upcoming months.
But with an enticing 2024 including Arsenal, Manchester City, and a burgeoning Aston Villa, Klopp is taking nothing for granted in the increasingly unpredictable Premier League.
“It’s just the caliber of the Premier League,” says Klopp. Winning games when you’re not at your best is hard. Even at your peak performance, games might still end in draws or losses.
“That’s the way things are. Apart from that, everything is rather typical. Alright, Man City isn’t leading by fifteen points as They normally lead the other teams by a few points or even a whole season, but in January, February, and March, they step it up to a whole new level, and the media declares, “Okay, that’s it.” You never know, it might still happen, but I’m not interested in that.
Villa has made significant progress; Tottenham has returned; Arsenal has made significant progress; we are somewhat back; and City is City; Newcastle has just experienced the issues we discussed. It’s brand-new and entirely unique.
“It no longer has anything to do with coaching. That’s how it is: it’s about meetings, rehabilitation, and more meetings. All players have made progress, and you can still win football matches. For this reason, Villa
defeat Arsenal and City because they are simply superior. And after they come up with a smart idea, you run into trouble.
It has always been possible to travel to a place like Bournemouth and lose because, particularly this year, they are a strong team. They are amazing; they have been since matchday 10.
“That’s the Premier League at its best, and it looks as it should right now. Although I would like a different circumstance, it is not achievable, so we must accept it as it is and move forward.
Howe’s Newcastle punished Liverpool’s slump from the previous season by finishing in the Champions League positions for the first time in 20 years, while the Reds finished in fifth place, their lowest finish under Klopp for an entire season.
However, because of the extra workload on the club, Newcastle arrives at Anfield with an injured squad that has only won one of its last eight games in all competitions. They are currently trailing their hosts by almost 13 points as a result.
On Monday night, Liverpool can go five points clear of City and Arsenal and three clear of Aston Villa in second place, but Klopp isn’t letting talk of winning the 20th league title get out of hand.
“Usually I don’t prepare these kinds of [messages],” adds Klopp. We were, I believe, quite a ways behind Manchester City at the halfway stage prior to the near-quadruple season [in 2022]. I believe we were playing games even though we were fairly far away.
“Usually I don’t prepare these kinds of [messages],” adds Klopp. We were, I believe, quite a ways behind Manchester City at the halfway stage prior to the near-quadruple season [in 2022]. I believe we were playing games even though we were fairly far away.
We ultimately trailed (City) by one point. I’m not sure if I will have much to say because I haven’t given it much thought.When I saw the outcome on Thursday night—West Ham United defeating Arsenal 2-0—I didn’t stop to consider the appropriate time to send a message.
“I seldom say the obvious thing, or when I do, it’s never very often.Naturally, everything went well despite Arsenal’s unexpected home loss to West Ham on matchday.
They all play before us, and we play on January 1st, so we have three days to prepare. I’m much more worried about making the most of that time.With newfound energy and a clear understanding of our tasks, let’s take action.”
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