Klopp urges Liverpool to draw motivation from Premier League

AFP / Ronny Hartmann

Manager Jurgen Klopp urged his Liverpool side to use the disappointment of missing out on the Premier League and Champions League last season as motivation to aim for both trophies in the new campaign.

Liverpool won the League Cup and FA Cup last season but was beaten 1-0 by Real Madrid in the Champions League final in May and lost the league title to Manchester City by one point.

"Both teams (Liverpool and City) play an incredibly high level, and one thing makes the difference, like one goal in the Champions League final, for instance," Klopp told reporters ahead of Liverpool's Community Shield game against Manchester City.

"That is part of the deal. That can happen at the end of the season with the points tally. It didn't turn me crazy, and it didn't turn the players crazy either. Because it is part of the deal. We can use it to get even more determined."

Liverpool's game against City later on Saturday could also provide fans with their first glimpse of the club's new marquee signings, Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez, in a competitive fixture.

Both strikers have scored in pre-season, with Nunez netting four against RB Leipzig while Haaland scored for City against Bayern Munich. However, Klopp tempered expectations, saying the forwards still needed time to adapt to their new teams.

"(City) have the same problem we have - they are not used to Erling's natural runs, just as we are not used to Darwin's natural runs yet," Klopp said.

"When Darwin offers a run, we give him the ball all the time, which is not helpful because often a guy who stretches the opponent is there to create space between the lines.

"I am pretty sure they will need time for Erling, but that doesn't mean he cannot score already like he did against Bayern."

Liverpool begins their campaign with a trip to Fulham on August 6.

More from Sports News

  • Brook's defiant ton in vain as New Zealand beat England

    New Zealand overcame a blitz from centurion Harry Brook to beat England by four wickets on Sunday in the opening game of their three-match one-day international series, with Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell scoring half-centuries.

  • Bencic tames Noskova to win Tokyo title

    Belinda Bencic breezed past Czech sixth seed Linda Noskova 6-2 6-3 to win the Pan Pacific Open title on Sunday, erasing bitter memories of her straight-sets defeat by Agnieszka Radwanska in the title clash of the same tournament 10 years ago.

  • We need to find answers to stop Liverpool slide, says Slot

    Liverpool manager Arne Slot said opponents have identified a winning strategy against his Premier League champions and he needs to find a solution fast after a 3-2 defeat at Brentford on Saturday made it four league losses in a row.

  • Rohit and Kohli bid likely farewell to Australia as winners

    Rohit Sharma hit a century and Virat Kohli a bright 74 to drive India to a nine-wicket win in the third one-day international on Saturday, sending fans home happy after what are likely to be their final appearances in Australia in their country's colours.

Blogs