Liverpool’s heartbreaking final defeat to Manchester City in this competition last season was one of two cup showpieces that Klopp’s men lost, the other being the Europa League final. With no European competition on offer at Anfield this season, Klopp has warned his players that there will be no escape from the Cup competitions, as he intends to field a full strength squad.
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On Tuesday they travel to Burton from England’s second tier in the League Cup, a competition they have won a record eight times but now enter at an early stage due to their failure to qualify for Europe this season.
Jurgen Klopp has demanded more from Liverpool in the final third as they embark on their League Cup journey against Burton Albion on Tuesday.
“We have never shown a lack of respect for one tournament and for sure we should show that again”.
“We are very professional, very clear and always working”. And that includes a trophy occasionally ignored by the bigger clubs – the English League Cup.
However, the Bundesliga duo have yet to prove they can adapt to life in England and play at the highest level for Liverpool, so the club’s need to have both back from injury illustrates the problems with the current depth of quality in defence.
It means changes will be kept to a minimum for tonight’s battle.
“Of course we will make changes, [but] it’s not likely that we will change seven or eight positions”.
“I really wait for the day when finally the transfer window closes, because I can’t believe how obsessed you all are with this”, fumed the German, speaking to the press ahead of the League Cup meeting with Burton Albion later today. “I have no idea how this exactly changes the mind of a player”, said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. We can not wish like it’s Christmas and say, ‘this year we have time, so let us go to all finals because for the other teams it’s too much.’ That’s not how it works.
“What you could see on Saturday was not the best game for Daniel since he started playing football but even in a game like this he still could have scored”.
Liverpool had 81 per cent possession against Burnley and despite attempting 26 shots managed just five on target and rarely troubled goalkeeper Tom Heaton.
Divock Origi and Emre Can, meanwhile, are also handed their first starts of the season.
“It was just a question of who could do it better, and I guess it was us”. We had so many shots from outside (the box) and sometimes you have to try but it looked too early and kind of desperate.
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The Football Association said Tuesday that Burnley striker Andre Gray has been charged with misconduct for comments that “were abusive and/or insulting and/or improper and/or brought the game into disrepute”.
