Klopp confident Liverpool can handle intense Red Star support

Jurgen Klopp is confident that Liverpool can deal with the intense atmosphere of the Rajko Mitic Stadium in which they’ll take on Red Star Belgrade tonight.

The 53,000-seater ground will be a cauldron of noise as the Red Star supporters attempt to put pressure on the visiting Liverpool players during their Champions League Group C clash.

The Liverpool squad arrived in Belgrade yesterday, and Klopp was immediately asked about the influence of the Red Star supporters on the outcome of the match.

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 24: Roberto Firmino of Liverpool scores in Liverpool’s match against Red Star Belgrade at Anfield on 24 October 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

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“The combination of atmosphere and football they play,” was Klopp’s response when asked what the biggest challenges would be, as quoted on LiverpoolFC.com.

“I said it after the first game, I saw it in that game – we were really good that night and if we would have been a little bit less good then immediately Red Star would have been in the game. But, that night, we were really strong and that was good. We have to be very strong tomorrow again, football-wise.

“Atmosphere… we are from Liverpool so we know how big the influence can be. The only way I know to cool the atmosphere down is playing really good football. That’s what we have to try; to be ready for a fight and ready for a big game.

“We will be ready, that’s the only thing I can make sure of. Then the boys have to do the job on the pitch, of course.

“We are not the most experienced team in the world in this part of the game but in the last three years we had two years with long, long journeys. We were twice in a final; that means we are really used to difficult atmospheres and difficult situations.

“That’s what we have to be again tomorrow and then let’s do what we are best in – playing football – and try to win the game.”

“That’s how everybody from outside sees it but, for me, it’s not that we have no chance to get points from the other two games,” Klopp added, when asked if getting three points against Red Star was vital in terms of their Champions League progression.

“We play in Paris, which is obviously not an easy place to go, and then we play at home against Napoli. It’s not that tomorrow is our only chance; I don’t think you should go into a game like this and put an extra amount of pressure on your shoulders – ‘if we don’t win today we have no chance.’

“For football it’s always important that you can enjoy the challenge as well. Tomorrow will be a fantastic atmosphere.

“When you describe it, always it sounds like something we have to be afraid of. But, for me, actually one big reason why I really enjoy being a manager of such a big club is because we have big atmospheres really often. I like that.

“The people want to support their team, that’s perfect, and we have to make sure we are ready for that.

“I don’t feel tomorrow is the only opportunity for us to get three points [in the remaining group games]. It’s an opportunity; not more, not less – and we will try everything.”

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Source: anfieldhq.com