SM
Man City vs. Man Utd: 1 hr 48 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Jurgen Klopp vows Liverpool will "attack" title rather than defend it

:Headline: Jurgen Klopp vows Liverpool will 'attack' title rather than defend it: ID:412083: from db_amp
Jurgen Klopp's side finished on 99 points as they ended a 30-year title drought last season.

Jurgen Klopp claims the best way to defend a title is to attack the next one.

The Liverpool boss wants his side to hit the new Premier League campaign at full throttle.

The Reds ended a 30-year wait for the title last season after an outstanding campaign in which they clocked up 32 wins and 99 points.

The Reds finished their title-winning campaign with 99 points (Laurence Griffiths/PA)

Topping that would be a remarkable achievement but Klopp feels that is the aim his players must have.

He feels they showed that mentality last year after accumulating 97 points and winning the Champions League in 2018-19 and he wants to see the same again.

"We will not try to defend it, we will try to attack the next one," said the German, whose side launch their new campaign against FA Cup winners Arsenal in the Community Shield on Saturday.

"That's the truth, you don't change your approach. That is what we always did and there is no reason for changing it.

"Motivation will not be our problem. I know this team will not stop trying.

"I don't expect everything to happen for me, I never expected it, but I expect I will give absolutely everything and I expect the boys to do that as well."

“I am not sure we can have a bigger target on our back than we already had last season.”
- Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool will have to deal with the tag of being champions, which could provide opponents with extra motivation, but Klopp feels he is well used to dealing with that anyway.

He said: "When I came here I was really surprised how much a game against Liverpool means to other teams, even when we were not considered as Liverpool of the past, like seventh or eighth in the league.

"When we arrived at the stadium I thought, 'Wow, they really have a proper go for it'.

"That has never changed, so I am not sure we can have a bigger target on our back than we already had last season.

"Everybody wanted to beat us, obviously, for a good reason. (Although) not so many could do it, I don't think that will change.

"If we think because we are champions they want to beat us even more, then we have already lost a few per cent of our approach, mood, attitude and all that stuff. I am not ready for that."

Players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold (left) and Andy Robertson (right) will report for international duty next week (Phil Noble/PA)

The season has a disjointed start for Liverpool, beginning only five weeks after they wrapped up their last, glorious, campaign. They have been back in training just a fortnight and, after the Community Shield, their preparations will be further disrupted by the loss of a number of players due to international duty.

In light of the current situation regarding the coronavirus and international travel, Klopp admits he is concerned, even if fully trusting of national associations.

He said: "I don't want use the word worried and see this in a headline. I know everybody tries their best to keep the boys safe but if a 16-year-old goes – a first time out – even when it is a good guy you are slightly concerned.

"I would like to keep them here, not for training, just because we know what we do but I am really sure all the FAs will try to make sure the boys are in a safe place."

amp_article__412083 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-08-28 22:08:29:
html db last update - 2020-08-28 22:08:29 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Jurgen Klopp

Click here for more stories about Liverpool

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .