Klopp: Reds as focused as ever on EFL Cup success
Jürgen Klopp has dismissed suggestions that Liverpool might be more focused on winning the League Cup this term in the absence of European football, asking: 'How can we be more than 100 per cent ambitious?'
The Reds kick off their EFL Cup campaign for 2016-17 at Burton Albion on Tuesday evening, as they attempt to go one better than last season's defeat in the competition's final.
With Klopp's team starved of European competition this year, the question was put to the manager whether the domestic cups take on greater significance.
But he replied: "Did you have the feeling last year that we didn't want the League Cup? How can we be more than 100 per cent ambitious?
"We cannot replace European football, we want to be as successful as possible. And when we say we want to fight for everything then of course the League Cup is involved.
"Last year, we were in the final, it was nice. The result was not too nice but for all Liverpool supporters it was a nice game until the final whistle after the penalty shootout.
"We are professionals so it's the next opportunity for us to get a result, even when it's not for the table. It's not about not being in Europe that the cup is important - it's important.
"We have to take what we get. If we get through to the next round, we will not stop.
"If we go out, we will not stop. We cannot 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.
"We have never shown a lack of respect for one tournament and for sure we should show that again."
The German certainly won't be underestimating the difficulty of facing a Burton side who have secured back-to-back promotions under the guidance of former Reds striker Nigel Clough.
But, while he is expecting a tough game at Pirelli Stadium, Klopp knows his team won't earn too many plaudits if they do emerge as victors.
"There are easier draws, I don't know exactly who plays against who but Burton are quite ambitious, and for them it's a big game," he added.
"In the last round they made nine changes, I don't know if they'll do it again, I don't think so. We will prepare as well as we can and then we want to win.
"This tournament is for sensations, if you want. First round [if] we go out then it's big trouble, if we go through it's normal and you can't use it for the Tottenham game.
"That's our life because it was 'only Burton' but in this moment I am really optismistic we will find a really good line-up and then we have to perform.
"We always have this kind of pressure, that's not new, but it is still early in the season. I always want to win.
"A Sunday is 8,000 per cent better when you have won on Saturday - there is no bigger difference. We came through this Sunday, somehow, and now it's Monday again so we can play on Tuesday.
"All good, let's go for it."