Jurgen Klopp hails Liverpool win over Rangers as perfect confidence boost ahead of Man City showdown

‘It changes the mood, definitely – it is completely different’: Buoyant Jurgen Klopp hails Liverpool’s thumping win over Rangers as the perfect confidence boost heading into this weekend’s crucial showdown with Man City at Anfield

  • Liverpool picked up a resounding 7-1 win at Rangers in the Champions League
  • It was the perfect response from the Reds after their loss vs Arsenal on Sunday
  • They are also set to host Premier League leaders Manchester City this weekend 
  • Jurgen Klopp says their huge victory at Ibrox has lifted morale before the game

Jurgen Klopp hailed the emphatic win that he feels has transformed Liverpool’s mood ahead of their showdown with the best team in the world.

A hat-trick from substitute Mo Salah, added to a confidence boosting strike from Darwin Nunez, were the standout moments of a 7-1 skewering of Rangers that leaves Liverpool needing a point from their last two games to reach the Champions League knockout stages.

More immediately, though, Liverpool face Manchester City on Sunday and while Klopp was not prepared to make any bold predictions about what might happening against Pep Guardiola’s side, he was prepared to acknowledge that the second half display at Ibrox felt significant.

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool boosted confidence at the perfect time in their 7-1 win vs Rangers

‘We usually drink a beer after away games, it’s that long ago since I drank, we’ll probably be drunk after one!’ said Klopp, whose demeanour noticeably changed through the course of the game to the point that he actually looked to be enjoying himself once again.

‘We had a really positive half-time talk. We had conceded a goal (to Scott Arlfield), scored an equaliser and had really positive football moments. In the end we needed to get clear in the final third and obviously that worked out – all the goals were absolutely great.

‘How we played and set them up and finished them. A game is 95 minutes, if you can build on parts of the first half, you have to do that and that is what we did. It changes the mood, definitely. It is completely different.

‘That is good but we all know who we are welcoming on Sunday and this will be a different game. But it’s better to go into the game feeling like we do tonight! We will see, I am always ready for a change in the right direction, but we will see.

The Reds dismantled Gers at Ibrox, with Mohamed Salah (centre) scoring a quick-fire hat-trick

The Reds dismantled Gers at Ibrox, with Mohamed Salah (centre) scoring a quick-fire hat-trick

Klopp says morale has improved before their clash with Erling Haaland (pictured) and Man City

Klopp says morale has improved before their clash with Erling Haaland (pictured) and Man City

The Liverpool boss admits they are facing 'the best football team in the world' on Sunday

The Liverpool boss admits they are facing ‘the best football team in the world’ on Sunday

‘We don’t have to make a big thing of it but the best football team in the world right now is coming to Anfield on Sunday. We will see what we can do. It’s not that we come with a big mouth and say: “we are waiting!” – not at all.’

Klopp was thrilled to see Nunez get his second goal in consecutive games and was just as thrilled with the performances of young players Fabio Carvalho and Harvey Elliott, who completed the rout with a smart finish.

He had special praise for Salah, however, and said: ‘You could see the reaction. I couldn’t see Mo celebrating because he was always running in the corner but with Darwin it meant the world to him.

‘All the efforts paying off. We all know when it is running for Mo he is exceptional. Obviously different position for him. I hope for him everything works for him. I’m happy that we score goals, but if we win the game 2-1 as well then I am over the moon.

‘The way it went, it can happen. We were really just on it and meeting us in the wrong moment is not cool.’



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