In fullRead Jürgen Klopp's LASK programme notes

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“Welcome to our final Europa League home group game against LASK, an opponent that we played earlier this season and one which more than earned our respect on that occasion.

“The reason that I want to stress this at the very outset is very simple – people can sometimes look at results and the outcome dictates the way that they think about one team or the other. In one respect I do understand this because football is a results business, but from a manager’s perspective it can never be so straightforward.

“We learned more than enough – and suffered enough – in our first game to know the threat that LASK will pose. We had to dig in, we had to respond to going behind and we had to find a way to gain confidence and belief from the good moments that we had. None of this was easy. It was hard work against a strong team which has its own targets and ambitions.

“We already knew about LASK before the game in Linz. We knew that they are a very stable team with a clear idea of football and an ability to use the wings well. We knew all of this and we were prepared for it, but they still gave us a proper test.

“So I welcome Thomas Sageder, his staff and the LASK players, officials and supporters to Anfield and I hope they enjoy the occasion, but not too much! As with all of the teams that come here, they are our guests as well as our opponents and they will come here with our respect and will depart with our best wishes for the future.

“I know there was an expectation that we would just fly through this competition, starting with the group stage, but I have said from the very start that it would not be like this and every game we have played so far has been a contest.

“The last one in particular was very difficult and the defeat we suffered against Toulouse gave another demonstration – not that it was needed – of what can happen if you are not on your game at this level.

“That was a tough night for us but the response to it has been pretty much what I was looking for because we have followed it up with two really positive results and performances against Brentford and Man City. We take that form into this fixture and hopefully we can continue to build on it so that we can carry on with the process of developing as a team and improving where necessary.

“I have said previously that one of the things I really love about this team is that there is so much to like about the way it is developing, while at the same time recognising that there is still a lot of scope for improvement, and this is still the case. We are on a journey that only began in the summer and the finishing line is nowhere near in sight, so it makes absolute sense that it is like this.

“With every game, every difficult situation that we come through and every moment that we learn from, we will continue to make steps in the right direction, and we will do this together, as a group and with the backing of our supporters. This is not too bad a mix, I would say.

“Whoever is selected [to play tonight], the challenge remains the same and that is to carry on with the good work that has already been done.

“We knew at the start of the season that we would need every player and every person associated with the team to step up when required and this is especially true during a period when we will have a lot of games.

“As ever, we will do this together with each individual being part of the Liverpool collective. This isn’t just the best way – it is the only way. Hopefully it will be good enough tonight.”

• Get your copy of the matchday programme at Anfield tonight or order online here