Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool are taking nothing for granted ahead of Tuesday’s decisive Champions League semi-final second leg at Villarreal.
The final obstacle in Liverpool’s quest to reach a third Champions League final in five seasons sees them head to Spain with a 2-0 advantage after last week’s comprehensive first-leg victory at Anfield.
Despite holding a commanding advantage, Klopp is under no illusions there is still a job to be done and is relishing the challenge that only Champions League semi-finals produce.
“We know that it is half-time,” Klopp told his pre-match press conference. “In the best possible way we have to ignore the result from the first leg. If it were a cup game where only one game decided, and we had to go to Villarreal, we would try to win there.
“We know they will give all they have, that is absolutely clear. With all the things Unai said after the game… it’s going to be a tough one but that is completely fine. Champions League semi-finals should be tough; we never expect them to be easy and this will not be easy. But we played a good game at home and we better play a good game there as well.”
Klopp continued: “At this moment, a Champions League semi-final is the most important game you can play. Whatever happened in the last few weeks or will happen in the next few weeks is not important, for this moment is clear.
“You never know if you will reach a semi-final again or if we will ever have the chance again to go to the final, you never know. We have an exceptional team here and nothing is for granted. You need luck in moments and all these sorts of things, so you better treat it carefully and be ready, and we will be ready.
“We really want it, we want to be where we are, and we want to go to the final. If Villarreal is better than us and beat us with a result which qualifies them for the final then congratulations, that’s it. But between now and then there are 95, or however many minutes to play, and I’m looking forward to it.”
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Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold believes that his side won’t be complacent against Villarreal despite their good form.
Klopp: We have to be ready to suffer
Villarreal boss Unai Emery has warned his players will make Liverpool suffer at the Estadio de la Ceramica after failing to lay on glove on the six-time European champions in last week’s first leg.
Klopp is adamant Liverpool are prepared for such an examination in order to progress through their Champions League semi-final and reach the third final of his tenure on Merseyside.
“We have to be ready to suffer,” Klopp added. “Not being a goal down – which can happen – but giving the game the right direction.
“A good example was Newcastle. The crowd was very passionate but we didn’t let it happen, which was the biggest quality for this game. It wasn’t a show of football brilliance. Of course we could have scored more goals but how clear-cut the performance was incredible.
“Yes we have to be emotional, ready to play the best game ever, but knowing it will not happen in moments. Suffering doesn’t mean you suffer for long, you suffer and then you react.”
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says his side have to be all that they are to finish the job and qualify for the Champions League at the expense of Villarreal
Klopp: Everything required of Liverpool
Klopp added: “Maturity and experience are very important, but they are not the only decisive things. You can be old and know everything about football but unable to play anymore, so that cannot be useful.
“Everything what we are will be required tomorrow night, that’s it. We have to be ready to play a top, top game because they will go for us. They will high press, they will try to play much more football than we allowed them in the first game.
“Unai will for sure try to adapt a few things to our style. It will be really interesting. Maturity will be important but it’s not the only thing.”
Emery: We need to play a perfect game
Villarreal boss Unai Emery is plotting a way to upset Liverpool
Villarreal manager Unai Emery admits his side need to play the perfect game if they are to shock Liverpool to reach the club’s first Champions League final.
The former Arsenal boss was reminded their opponents had lost just three of 56 matches in a quadruple-chasing season.
“I didn’t want to hear those details but I did,” he said. “It is a difficult task but we are working on the game. We need to play a perfect game.
“We need to find our excellence in certain things and maybe achieve something no one has achieved, which is this kind of comeback. We will try to find some weak spots, something that no one has done this season.”
Villarreal were beaten 2-0 at Anfield by Liverpool in the first leg
There was some positive news for Emery with striker Gerard Moreno, who missed the first leg, back after injury, although they will be missing former Bournemouth winger Arnaut Danjuma who is ill.
“Gerard trained with the rest of the group today,” said the Villarreal boss. “I don’t know to what extent he will be fit for contention. We will not take any risks.”
Neville: Liverpool can win in many ways
Sky Sports’ Gary Neville:
“I really enjoyed the Liverpool-Villarreal first leg. Villarreal were massive underdogs, defending so deep in the 4-4-2 system. I thought highly of Liverpool and their persistence.
“Liverpool were doing the right things. Liverpool are a team who can win in different ways. They can outbox you; they can go toe to toe with you, punch for punch and they can be patient. Liverpool have demonstrated that in the last few years, they can wait, they can pass it around, they don’t get panicky.
“I remember that game where they lost the title under Brendan Rodgers- they didn’t have the experience to handle a different type of opponent. When Chelsea held back that day, they got very frustrated.
“I think it was a really good performance from Liverpool in the first leg, it was really professional. They should win that game, no doubt. Liverpool certainly [will qualify] – and that doesn’t mean I don’t respect Villarreal.”
Neville: Liverpool on brink of unprecedented greatness
Sky Sports’ Gary Neville:
“Liverpool are seven games from a Quadruple – seven games from a quadruple. That is the closest I think that anybody will ever have been to a Quadruple. I might be wrong. Someone will probably prove me wrong, but I can’t think of a time.
“If Liverpool were to do it that would be unprecedented. Unprecedented achievements. So they, along with Manchester City, are on the brink of greatness.”
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