Jürgen: Let's use power of LFC to reach Wembley
Jürgen Klopp is expecting an atmosphere to remember at Anfield for the second leg of the semi-final with Stoke City and hopes to use 'the whole power of LFC' to book a place at Wembley.
The Reds host the Potters on Tuesday night for the return meeting of a Capital One Cup tie they lead 1-0 after Jordon Ibe secured a crucial result in the first match at the Britannia Stadium three weeks ago.
The manager refused to look beyond Stoke to the final at his pre-match press conference, pointing to the progress they have made under Mark Hughes and the threat they therefore pose.
But Klopp is eagerly awaiting the occasion on home soil and wants players, staff and supporters to combine to catapult Liverpool into a showpiece game at the national stadium.
He said: “Let’s take the whole power of LFC and go to the final – that’s what we’ll try to do.
“We can prepare everything as much as possible and that’s what we are doing, not thinking about the result. You will see in which direction the game is running and then you maybe have to react.
“But in this moment, we only want to defend really near to perfection because Stoke are a football-playing team. Mark Hughes is doing a brilliant job, one of the biggest changes in football style I have heard about in the last 10 years.
“It’s not easy but it’s a great job and they keep on going this way, that’s a good idea. We have our problems with the line-up, they have one or two problems, and then you have to be ready for the semi-final.
“It seems to be an interesting night.”
Klopp continued: “It’s only a step. I saw some [finals] as a visitor and it’s cool but not the same as when you win it. I have never heard about second place in the Capital One Cup. That’s the situation.
“But it’s the only possibility to go to the final and you can win it. That’s what we have to do. Reaching a final is great but at the end it’s only memorable when you win it. But we have a little bit of time until then.
“For tomorrow, there is only one target – go to the final. Then celebrate it more in your mind than the real world, because we have the next game on Saturday.
“You should not waste opportunities to win something and I know for the players it is very important.
“They have been here much longer than I have and that’s the most important thing – they want to go to the final. That’s pretty cool and hopefully I can come with them!”
After the incredible events of Saturday’s 5-4 victory at Norwich City in the Barclays Premier League, the boss was asked whether he would settle for a more sedate affair at Anfield against Stoke.
“Of course! No problem. Boring is not too cool but 1-0 is a great result. We had it in Stoke in a really good game from my side,” the German replied.
“After the game, a lot of people thought ‘good game’ but the result could have been a little bit clearer.
“But now we have nearly the best situation you can have ahead of the second leg in a semi-final. We won the first game and it was an away game.
“Now we have the opportunity to play at Anfield, I have heard about the special atmosphere in semi-finals at Anfield. I’m really looking forward to it, I’m really excited.”