Programme notesJürgen Klopp shares Carabao Cup message
Jürgen Klopp is eager for Liverpool to again embrace the Carabao Cup from the first whistle when they host Leicester City in round three tonight.
Winners of the trophy in 2021-22, the Reds begin this season’s participation with an Anfield tie against the Foxes – and do so having won six of their seven matches so far this term.
In his programme notes ahead of the game, the manager stresses the importance of continuing to build on a positive run that most recently saw West Ham United defeated 3-1 in the Premier League last weekend.
“It is always a pleasure to play at Anfield in any competition so it is good to be back here so soon, particularly on the back of a really good win at home to West Ham United on Sunday which allowed our good start to the campaign to continue and I am sure gave our supporters a lot of pleasure,” writes Klopp.
- Get your copy of the matchday programme at Anfield tonight or order online here
“What pleased me most – besides the three points – was the way we stayed in the game. I am now at an age which means I have been in football for many years so I have seen so many matches that become difficult for so many reasons and so often the key factor that decides them is whether or not a team manages to stay in the game during moments when it is not going well.
“On Sunday we did this unbelievably well, especially during the first half when there were moments when we had to suffer both individually and as a team. But the most important thing was that we were prepared to suffer against a team which was only ever going to give us a proper challenge.
“We needed to be resilient, we needed to be solid and I saw those qualities at the exact times when we needed them most. Yes, we had our tough moments but we came through them and that says a lot about the way this group is developing. It is also a big positive that this kind of mentality is emerging so early because it is clear that it is going to be needed a lot during a season which will bring so many different challenges and tough moments.
“Can we do better? Of course. It is just about still September and this team has only really been together since this summer so we are still taking the first steps. That’s the way it is.
“So we are constantly looking for improvements because we know that they are necessary. Whether it is at AXA, Anfield or anywhere else, we take our work incredibly seriously because we want to get better.
“This approach does not guarantee anything in terms of success. We know that. But we also know that it gives us our best possible chance of being the best that we can be, so it makes sense that we stick to it and live by it. I want the supporters and ourselves to enjoy what we are doing and the best way of achieving this is by working as hard as we possibly can in every moment.
“We will definitely need to do this tonight. Leicester took a big knock last season but their response has been incredible. They are a Championship team right now of course and this is something they will want to change, but their form is more like a Premier League club so we should expect a proper test.
“I would like to welcome Enzo Maresca, his players and staff to Anfield and also congratulate them on the work they have done so far this season. I could not be more impressed. As someone who has experienced relegation in my career, I know just how big a challenge it is to respond in a positive way but Leicester are doing this and it speaks volumes for the work they are doing as a club and a team.
“On a personal level, I have some wonderful memories of the Carabao Cup but I always say that the final does not begin at Wembley in February. For us, it starts at Anfield tonight because the moment when the referee blows his whistle to signal the start of the game is the moment that our journey goes. It is then up to us how far we go in the competition.
“Whatever team I select, there will be those who believe I have made too many changes and those who think I have not made enough, but I can say without hesitation that the team I choose will be one that I believe will give us the best possible chance of winning the tie.
“As the players have shown already this season, they are prepared to work together and give everything no matter which names are on the back of our red shirts, so hopefully it will be exactly the same tonight.”
- Get your copy of the matchday programme at Anfield tonight or order online here
This article has been automatically translated and, while all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, some errors in translation are possible. Please refer to the original English-language version of the article for the official version.