‘Let’s revive night of Barcelona miracle’: Jurgen Klopp eyes a repeat of Barcelona win as Liverpool look to get Champions League campaign back on track at Anfield
- Liverpool’s 4-0 win against Barcelona sent them to the Champions League final
- Reds went on to win the trophy in Madrid after beating Tottenham 2-0 in June
- Jurgen Klopp’s side lost their first match against Napoli 2-0 on matchday one
- Liverpool welcome Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg to Anfield on Wednesday
Jurgen Klopp has called on Liverpool’s players to summon the spirit of Barcelona as they look to give lift-off to their Champions League defence.
This is the first time Liverpool have played a European home game since their remarkable comeback in last season’s semi-final, when they overturned a 3-0 first-leg deficit in what many regard to be Anfield’s greatest night
Klopp loves these occasions under the lights and he was noticeably enthusiastic when discussing the prospect of coming up against Red Bull Salzburg, a side who made Europe sit up and take notice when they started Group E by blitzing Belgian side Genk 6-2.
Jurgen Klopp believes the atmosphere on European nights is down to the display of his team
Klopp oversees training on Tuesday – the Reds lost their Champions League opener to Napoli
Liverpool’s manager is respectful of the Austrian champions, who he says remind him of his first team Mainz, given the aggressive and energetic way they play.
Klopp, though, wants his current side to make a statement and get points on the board after losing 2-0 in their first game against Napoli.
‘Let’s make it as it’s like a reunion with the European crowd,’ said Klopp, who will be without the injured Joel Matip.
Liverpool centre-back Joel Matip is unavailable after sustaining a slight knock on Saturday
‘These European nights are based on the performances of all of us. I really hope we can create that atmosphere again.
‘Salzburg are really intense. It will be an intense game and wild in moments. I could talk for two hours on what they do well, but what is really important is that they never played us. It is the most important message.
‘We respect each opponent, that is in our DNA, when you come here we respect you and we show that with our attitude and the effort we put in. We really want to win this game.’
Erling Haaland scored a first-half hat-trick for Red Bull Salzburg in a 6-2 win against Genk
Liverpool, meanwhile, have yet to receive any indication from the EFL when they will discover their fate after fielding an ineligible player in the Carabao Cup win over MK Dons.
The strongest sanction is expulsion from the competition – Klopp says Liverpool must accept whatever punishment is given.
‘If it was our fault,’ said Klopp, ‘we need to get punished.’
