Boss: Being back is cool but the game more important
Being back in Germany does not add any extra meaning to Liverpool's Europa League clash with Augsburg for Jürgen Klopp, whose knowledge of tomorrow's opponents ensures his only focus is the game itself.
The Reds flew out to the manager’s homeland on Wednesday afternoon and trained at the WWK Arena in the evening, ahead of the first leg of their Round of 32 tie against the Bundesliga side.
Klopp also spoke to local media at a packed press conference inside the stadium, with much of the pre-match discussion surrounding his return to the country four months on from his appointment at Anfield.
While the boss admits the chance to lead his new team out in Germany is ‘cool’, it will be business as usual once the game gets underway – with Augsburg ready to offer a display worthy of the occasion.
Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com: “There aren’t too many German managers in foreign countries; most German managers work in Germany or as national coaches of African countries. So maybe coming back is just something special for the German press or some supporters.
“For me, it’s the Europa League and you always have to play in different countries. In this case, it’s Germany. The biggest advantage I have is that in the hotel I will understand each person – so that’s cool!
“But the rest is football. I didn’t leave Germany long enough ago to say I need German air or something like this! I really enjoy England and we feel really good, it’s a great country to live and work in.
“Coming back is cool but it’s not the most important thing in this game. Much more important is that we go there and are ready for a difficult game.”
Augsburg have not won in any of their four competitive fixtures so far in 2016 and sit precariously close to the Bundesliga relegation places, but Klopp remains wary of a side who impressed in finishing fifth last season.
“Augsburg are in a difficult situation in the league,” he said. “Last year, they were a little bit like the Leicester of the Bundesliga – they surprised everybody.
“But not the people involved and the other managers, because we could see they did a really good job in building a squad. In Markus Weinzierl they have a great manager, young but high quality. They played brilliantly last season and qualified for the Europa League.
“This year, they have had a difficult situation, they have 21 points and are close to the relegation positions in the table. But the quality is still there; a few injuries, how it is sometimes.
“But for them it is the biggest game in history. Augsburg is not a young club, it’s a club with big tradition in Germany but it’s long ago. They needed a long time to come back to the Bundesliga and now they are there, they are doing a really good job.
“This game against Liverpool is for sure the biggest game in their history and that means something. You can imagine how they will be and we have to be ready too, to go to the next round – but not with an easy game.”
Though the Reds have a rare free weekend following the match in Augsburg, next week involves the return leg at Anfield and – just three days later – the Capital One Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley.
Klopp feels the schedule suits his team and allows for a smooth build-up to the showpiece in London but will nevertheless be putting any thoughts of it to one side until the Europa League tie is complete.
He added: “The rhythm is perfect for these three games. Thursday to Thursday is absolutely a normal week and you could play the final on the Friday, because it’s a final so you don’t need recovery if you want to play the final.
“The bigger challenge, first of all, is the away game at Augsburg and then to be concentrated in the rematch against Augsburg, not thinking about the final.
“We can talk about that next week. We are in preparation for the first leg against Augsburg and the final is far away.”