Jurgen Klopp addressed the media on Thursday to preview Liverpool’s clash with Leicester City, revealing his thoughts on the Anfield redevelopment.
The Foxes will be the first side to take on Liverpool at Anfield this season, with the Reds having previously faced Arsenal, Burnley, Burton Albion and Tottenham Hotspur away from home.
As Premier League champions, Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester present a major challenge for the Reds, and speaking to reporters on Thursday afternoon, the German highlighted this.
Klopp also discussed the expansion of Anfield’s Main Stand, and improvements inside and around the stadium, saying “it’s really impressive.”
“We have to start the season [here]. I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for us,” he said.
“The day before yesterday was my first time at Anfield since the Chelsea game [in May].
“It’s really impressive. An outstanding job, when you stand in front of it—it’s really amazing. It’s a good place, a good moment, the champions coming.
“They’re still good, but it’s another season, it’s our first home game, with 8,000 more in the stadium—that’s more power, and we should use this.”
Klopp also provided an overview of his squad’s fitness, suggesting Sadio Mane is able to start on Saturday, while Emre Can, Ragnar Klavan and Sheyi Ojo should all miss out.
He went on to discuss the future of Mamadou Sakho, after the centre-back turned down a loan move in the summer, saying “we have to make Mama fit now.”
Elsewhere on the agenda was Klopp’s relationship with Mario Balotelli’s agent, Mino Raiola, and his preferred centre-back pairing—which he refused to confirm was Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip.
Fan Comments