Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp met the media ahead of the Reds' clash with Ajax in Amsterdam on Wednesday night. Kick-off is at 20:00 BST at Johan Cruyff ArenA and the Reds can secure passage into the Champions League knock-out rounds with at least a draw.
Klopp talked about a few different things in his press conference as usual. He talked about the differences between Liverpool's home and away form. Klopp also gave his usual updates on player fitness, and what it meant to qualify for the Champions League knock-out stages.
Klopp didn't really have answers for why the Reds are playing better at Anfield than they are on the road. He said, “It is nothing in my mind at the moment, I am not sitting here and thinking about away [from home] we have a problem and that's why I have to say something special for tomorrow. I prepare the team for a very important football game and, sorry, but I am not prepared for this question in this moment. I had other things to do in the last few days.”
The Boss also spoke more about the consistency issues that have plagued his team. He referenced last weekend's disappointing game in Nottingham.
Klopp said, “We were now in a good moment until we lost to Nottingham Forest in a strange game with a lot of problems for us. Some players were injured, some players were not allowed to play but were there, let me say it like this, and then you play against a deep-defending side and you lose a game after a set-piece which we should win. So, do I expect us to play better consistently? Yes. Am I ready to make the necessary steps to get there? Yes.”
The manager used his press conference to update the fitness of his squad ahead of tomorrow's match. There is good news in regards to Darwin Núñez and Ibrahima Konaté, "[Konate] is here. Ready to play minutes, I would say. He could play the first minutes but that would not make too much sense, so minutes yes. That's it. Nothing new yet."
On Núñez, Klopp added: "He trained normal yesterday and today. So yes, in this moment, he is available."
Liverpool can qualify for the knock-out rounds of the Champions League with a draw against Ajax in Amsterdam tomorrow night. Of course, they'd be happier with a win.
Klopp said, ”Yes, it would be absolutely great, but I cannot sit here and tell you I feel it already as if we would be halfway through. There is a game and 95 minutes in between – and if it happens then I can tell you it was really big and really important, but in this moment we just prepare for the game.”
With Liverpool's form away from home this season being, shall we say inconsistent, it's important for the Reds to get at least a point in Amsterdam tomorrow night. Everyone who bleeds red wants Liverpool to win every match, but tomorrow a draw will do the job.
