Jurgen Klopp spoke in his pre-match press conference at Melwood as he discussed Saturday's clash between his Liverpool side and Rafael Benitez's Newcastle United.
Key points
- Klopp on Rafa: A Liverpool legend is coming
- Klopp keen to show consistency
- James Milner with late fitness test
- Wijnaldum and Woodburn remain doubts with illness
- Captain Jordan Henderson primed to return
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp insisted securing three more points against Newcastle is vital, despite his side's impressive recent form and the current feel-good factor around Anfield.
“I'm still not in the mood to think and feel the positivity of the situation. I am really not," Klopp said.
“Yes, when you say that we've won nine of the last 12 [in all competitions], it's a good number but actually the only game we have to win is the Newcastle game. That's really the only thing I'm interested in – that's how I feel.
“The positive numbers, perfect. It's good. The club invested a lot in the last few years since I've been in; we've built a new stand, we're planning a new training ground, we have brought in fantastic players, so I am completely fine.
"I am not interested too much in it, to be honest. It's not that I ask, ‘Can you tell me, how much is in the account?' or whatever. We brought in the players we wanted to bring in for the price we wanted, at the end, to pay – not more, not less.
Watch: Jurgen Klopp on demands and dreams at LFC
“Yes, the club is until today in a very good moment but we all know if we don't perform tomorrow, then it feels different immediately. That's the only thing I am interested [in].
“When the season is over and we have a look back, then maybe I will have a beer on the fantastic numbers and all the games we didn't lose, or we won, and all that stuff.
“Really, it's just very busy. Positive yes, but [a] busy moment. How we feel it, with a lot of training, normal training, intensity, preparing the team for the next game, which is difficult."
Klopp was keen to lavish praise on former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, who returns to Liverpool - a place where his family still continue to live since his stint as Reds manager during 2004 and 2010.
“We know who is coming – a Liverpool legend is coming, Rafael Benitez one of the best managers in the world. We all know how he works, how he can organise a team, how he can make your life really difficult.
"I like him as a person, but I actually think we've given enough presents already to him since I have been in. 2-0 up in the home game when we played them [and it finished 2-2]. And at Newcastle, I think even Rafa knew it was a little bit lucky for them.
“We need to be really focused, really concentrated on the game and it will be interesting again.”
