Jürgen Klopp met with the media ahead of Liverpool's clash with Chelsea. The match will mark the 1,000th game in charge of a professional team for Klopp as he previously led FSV Mainz and Dortmund before coming to Anfield. He spent the majority of the press conference reflecting on the pending milestone, but also took time to discuss a few keys to the Chelsea match
Klopp was very humble when asked about the prospect of managing his 1,000 career match.
“I have done the job I love for the clubs I love,” said Klopp. “I am blessed, 100 percent. That's what I feel. I've never thought about these kinds of numbers. I never thought I would be allowed to do it [manage] for that long. But somehow, it went really quickly. You have to work through 22 years and then you can somehow arrive there.”
Klopp sees a lot of similarities between the struggles that the two clubs have experienced this season, beginning with injuries.
“I looked at their (injury) list and they have as many names as we do,” he said. It's tough for anyone. Arsenal is at the top (of the table) and deservedly so, but would they still be there if they were missing 3 to 5 players? Injuries are tough and it's something you just have to battle through.”
Even though Chelsea is struggling, Klopp knows they are still a formidable opponent.
“It's not like you look at Chelsea and you can win 6-0 and send them home,” Klopp said. “They have run up against a lot of clubs in top form lately. When you watch Chelsea, there are still a lot of good players. We can't sit here and say ‘Thank God Chelsea is coming. They have bigger problems than us.' No. It will be a tough game.”
It is probable that the vast amount of media attention will be focused on Klopp's 1,000th career match, but for the boss, he is focused on just one number: 3, as in 3 points. While it is abundantly clear that Klopp is grateful for the time he has spent at Liverpool and two other clubs before that, the main objective will be beating Chelsea. That will be a tough enough test without other distractions.
