In fullJürgen Klopp's Newcastle United programme notes
The manager used his column in the official matchday programme to detail how impressed he was by the impact fans, players and staff alike made on the Reds’ resounding - and record-equalling - 9-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.
And Klopp feels a similar collective effort will be required this evening when the Magpies visit L4 for the Premier League meeting.
The boss wrote: “After Saturday’s win over Bournemouth I was asked for one word to describe it and the one I chose was simple: ‘needed’. This wasn’t to play things down or to remove any enjoyment or pleasure that people were taking from such a positive result. It was just that for Liverpool victories are always necessary. The scoreline might add some gloss, but the result is everything.
“I say this because tonight a good outcome is needed once again. We do not get extra points for scoring nine goals or a head-start in our next fixture. We begin again at nil-nil and if there’s one thing that’s certain after a big win it is that your next opponent will be looking for any signs that you might be enjoying your last game a bit too much.
“This is not a new challenge for us and I would rather have it than not, but we should be aware of it and use it.
“We should also recognise – in fact, we have already recognised – that just as everything was not broken before we played Bournemouth, everything is not perfect after we have played them.
“We have played four fixtures at the start of a season that everyone knows will be different. We would like to have more points on the board than we have and we are disappointed that we do not, but to be a work-in-progress at this stage is pretty normal I would say.
“So now it is about building on what we have done. This means taking all of the information we have so far and using it. We cannot just ignore the bits we do not like; we use those as well by learning from that and improving.
“It would not make sense to just focus on the good things, but in the same way it would not make sense if we did not take belief and knowledge from them. This is what we have always done and I see no reason to change.
“Tonight we face an opponent who are probably the most improved team in the Premier League this year. I have always respected and admired Eddie Howe and the job he is doing at Newcastle United is brilliant. It should not surprise anyone either. It has long been clear that Eddie has a philosophy, a way of playing and a way of working that would benefit whichever club he works for.
“Newcastle made a good decision to appoint him and it is continuing to pay off.
“We saw the best face of his team in their recent draw against Manchester City which showed how aggressive they can be with the ball and also how creative they can be even against a side with as much quality as City.
“I know I will not be alone in being impressed by the football Newcastle are playing and I would expect them to be especially motivated for this fixture because when you are ambitious as a club it makes sense to look to give a bloody nose to the clubs who have usually finished above you.
“So I am expecting a proper contest and this means every single one of us has to be ready for it whether we are on the pitch, in the dugout or in the stands.
“One of the things I loved most about Saturday was everywhere you looked, you could see intensity and desire. Seeing the supporters pushing the players and the players counter-pressing like crazy in the second half was exactly how I would want it to be.
“This is when we are at our best as a collective and when Anfield becomes such a difficult place for opponents to play in. It is not easy to recreate these moments, of course, but we should give it a try and see what we can do. Experience tells us we are not likely to make things worse, that is for sure.
“With this being our last home game before the Champions League campaign begins I would like to thank our supporters in advance for the backing that they give us in this competition. I know that last season did not end in the way it should have and football has to do whatever it can to ensure visiting fans are looked after as well as possible at all fixtures, but as a manager I will always be incredibly grateful to those who travel to support us.
“This is something we could not and would not take for granted so I wish anyone who is travelling to Naples, to Amsterdam and to Glasgow a safe trip and a positive experience.
“Hopefully, the team can continue to make it worthwhile also. We have had some really special times in Europe and it would be great if we could have some more.”
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