Jürgen Klopp met with the media after Liverpool's emphatic win away at Ajax on Wednesday night. The 3-0 victory in Amsterdam propelled the Reds into the knock-out round of the 2022/23 Champions League.
Klopp called Liverpool's qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League a “big achievement.” The Reds are guaranteed at least the second spot in Group A, and could win the group if they can find a way to beat Napoli on November 1st by enough goals.
Liverpool have 6 European championships to their credit but, not one person ever takes the chance for another one for granted. That includes the manager, Klopp said as much during the press conference.
The Boss said, “Qualifying for the knockout stages, I think nobody ever should take for granted – it's really difficult. We did it again, which is a big achievement in itself.”
Klopp talked briefly about tonight's opponent and the Reds' slow start. Klopp said, “In the game, it started really, really tricky for us – and that makes the victory in the end even sweeter because Ajax are a really good team and we've beaten them twice. It was very important.”
Later he came back around to the subject again. Another reporter asked how the players responded after a ‘shaky start'. The manager responded, “It's good. Extremely helpful, absolutely, very good. I'm not sure what is better in our situation, to fly through a game – probably everybody would love it – [or] to overcome difficulties and in the end to develop into your best self is obviously very helpful as well.”
Much to everyone's relief, it seems as though Jordan Henderson is fine. Henderson looked to be in distress causing him to leave the match with an apparent injury in the 70th minute.
When asked if the captain was OK following the match he said, “I think so. I was worried as well when I saw the situation because it was in front of me, but I think he thought he got knee on knee, so painful. A bruise, probably. Really painful but as far as I know now, nothing else and that should be fine.”
One of Jürgen Klopp's best qualities as a manager is that he reacts the same way: win, lose, or draw. His press conference after tonight's victory was a good example of that. The Liverpool fan universe is jumping out of its skin after a great Champions League win and the Boss is keeping his cool.
The manager is still talking about everything in a matter-of-fact way. That is what any team in any sport wants in a manager. Also, fantastic news about Henderson. His potential injury was the only thing that could have caused Reds' fans to worry tonight. Now we can all sleep well.
