Programme notesJürgen Klopp: We want to sign off in positive fashion today

The Reds welcome Southampton to Anfield in the Premier League for their last game before the World Cup gets under way.

In his matchday programme notes, the boss has set out a clear aim for his squad.

Klopp writes: “Ideally, we would like to be going into the break for the World Cup in a better position in the Premier League and whatever happens today we need to use the gap between games as best as we possibly can.

“For the players who are fortunate enough to be selected for their national teams, I hope that they can make the most of the opportunity because it goes without saying that participating at a World Cup is something that is really, really special.

“I also hope that when they return to us, they are in the best condition that the situation will allow. We will be watching their games and wishing them well.

"For the rest of us, it is a case of taking advantage of the break, recharging batteries and then being ready to return with a focus on being the very best that we can be once more.

“This is a season that is different, there is no question about that, but this does not mean we should not look to make the most of it just as we have in every other campaign.

“I am sure for our supporters it will be strange not being able to come to Anfield for the next six weeks so hopefully we can sign off in positive fashion today so that we can look forward to being reunited again next month with everything we have.”

On the visiting Saints, he added: “For our opponents Southampton it is the first game of a new era with Nathan Jones having succeeded Ralph Hasenhuttl as manager, so I would like to extend an especially warm welcome to Nathan and also to wish him well for the future.

“His is a story that I really like. If you love football, you pretty much have no option but to like his story. If you look at his career both as a player and a manager, he has never done it the easy way.

“He has served his apprenticeship, I would say, learning about football at different levels and in different countries, developing himself and the players he has worked with and now he has the biggest opportunity of his career so far.

“The other side of the story is one I like less, of course, because for one manager to get a new job another has to lose his. This is the nature of the business we are in, and we all accept that, but this does not make it any easier, especially when the manager involved has given as much as Ralph gave to Southampton.

“Again, I wish him only the very best and hope it will not be too long before Ralph returns to the game because it is clear that he has so much still to offer.”

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