Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp sat down for his customary pre-match press conference ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League quarter-final involving Atalanta at Anfield, during which he explained why he expects a ‘tricky’ test for both sides.
Liverpool and Atalanta will kick off at 20.00 BST on Thursday evening.
The hosts come into the quarter-final as the bookies’ favourites to lift the trophy come the end of the season. They topped their group with 12 points, made up of four wins and two losses, and recorded an 11-2 aggregate score over two legs against Sparta Praha in the round of 16.
Atalanta, however, along with Bayer Leverkusen, are one of only two sides left in the Europa League who have not yet lost in Europe this season. In and amongst La Dea’s unbeaten run, there were four encounters with Sporting CP and prospective Klopp replacement Ruben Amorim.
What Klopp said about Atalanta and the Europa League
The Europa League trophy remains one of the few accolades that Klopp has not yet added to his personal collection.
When asked about his desire to win the trophy by the end of the 2023-24 campaign, he replied: “It’s not personal for me. We lost to serial winners of the competition (Sevilla) but it was the start for a lot of other things.
“From the moment that we saw the chance to getting into the Europa League, we were desperate to do so. And with us being Liverpool, we want to win the competition.”
“We have to be at our best to get into the next round. We’re not thinking about the final or something like this.”
Klopp was also asked if he had any desire to coach in Italy after his eight-and-a-half year reign at Anfield comes to an end this summer.
He responded: “The only Italian thing I know is Italian food. At this moment I don’t plan a further career as a manager. Ask me in a year’s time, but now I don’t plan anything.”
Around five years ago, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola stated that facing Atalanta is ‘like going to the dentist’, which Klopp was also asked about during his press conference on Wednesday.
“Playing against us can be like going to the dentist as well,” he replied.
“They have changed (since Liverpool played them last) but the manager is there and the way they play is quite consistent. We expect a super-organised and experienced opponent. It will be tricky for both.”
“I’m looking forward to tomorrow night and you should too as it’s a good place to watch a football game.”
'Playing us is a bit like going to the dentist as well'
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