Sturridge started his first match since Klopp’s appointment as manager nearly two months ago and demonstrated the masterful finishing ability that Klopp and predecessor Brendan Rodgers so regularly went without in scoring Liverpool’s first two goals in their exceptional 6-1 defeat of Southampton.
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In progressing to the semi-finals against Stoke, Liverpool avoided the potentially more hard draws against Everton or Manchester City, but Klopp pointed to his team’s recent 4-1 win at City as proof they need not be concerned about facing them, and insisted that Stoke remain a significant challenge.
The Dutch boss knows his side are up against it but he is confident his players will be able to handle the pressure and enjoy the situation.
Divock Origi scored a hat trick – his first goals for Liverpool – after fellow striker Daniel Sturridge marked his latest return from injury with goals in the 25th and 29th minutes to spark the comeback.
Klopp also gave his verdict on Sturridge’s display and the on-going fitness issues that have plagued the England star’s season so far.
“Of course I knew all about his quality, this was not a problem, but I had not seen it live in a stadium in such an important game”. I don’t know. You have known him longer than me.
Davis admitted it was a negative evening for the Saints but implored his teammates to get back to what they know best in order to quickly recover from the magnitude of the defeat.
“Absolutely superb”, Le Tissier said.
“I’ve had a few finals in my life and I know there was never an easy one”.
“It’s a great game to play tomorrow, it’s sold-out, Liverpool are doing well under a new manager”.
Koeman has a lot of respect for Liverpool’s new manager Juergen Klopp, but said time will tell how the German is regarded amongst Liverpool fans. But they’re pretty hot on this game.
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He was exceptional again at St Mary’s, setting up Sturridge’s second with an inch-perfect cross from the outside of his right foot, but a second half booking means Can will miss the Super Sunday clash against Newcastle at the weekend. “I took the decision to play three at the back, and the first 20 minutes after half-time it was a little bit better, but we didn’t score, and the last 20 minutes, there were too big spaces, too big gaps”.
