Jürgen Klopp has insisted Liverpool did not need to suffer the disappointment of League Cup final defeat last season to strengthen their desire to claim the trophy this year.

But the German believes the collective experience of that journey to Wembley Stadium could be helpful to his team as they aim go one better this time around.

Back in February, the Reds suffered heartbreak in the competition's showpiece fixture, losing out to Manchester City in a penalty shootout after the sides played out a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes.

Having taken steps toward atoning for that loss by overcoming Burton Albion and Derby County so far this term, Klopp's team face a tricky fourth-round fixture against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Tuesday.

But the boss says it is the desire to lift a trophy, rather than memories of cup final defeat, that will serve as the prime motivation for his players.

Watch the boss' pre-Spurs press conference in full

"We decided directly after the game against City that we should try again. That’s all," he told reporters at his pre-match media briefing.

"It would be a sign, a little bit of a negative sign, if you need to lose a final to want to win it next year. 

"It’s a very, very interesting tournament, a very big cup tournament, and that's the reason why we want to go to the final. 

"When we are in the final next time we want to win it, of course, and nobody should be worried about this. 

"I did not know anything about the final before, it's not too easy to see these finals in Germany. 

"When I was there, [I saw] it's a real final, that's really good. It was a great experience for all of us, it was close, it was a good game, so everything was like it should be apart from the result."

Liverpool and Spurs played out an entertaining 1-1 draw when the sides met at White Hart Lane in the Premier League back in August.

Klopp expects a similarly tight affair tomorrow, and urged the home support to tip the balance in his team's favour by creating another memorable atmosphere.

"They are still good. Good in defending, good in attacking, not a lot of weaknesses," he added.

"It will be close but that's no problem, it makes it exciting. 

"It’s again, what I said after the [West Brom] game about the atmosphere, I think everybody who was there thought something was different today. 

"We are not four, five, six nil in the lead but the atmosphere was really fantastic and that’s what we have to try to create again. 

"All the other teams will make as many problems for us as possible but being really in the game as a team and a crowd that’s the thing we can still improve. 

"Creating a real Liverpool atmosphere more often, or always, that’s the challenge for all of us. I'm really looking forward to the game. 

"It's another game at Anfield, it is still fantastic to play there, and against a strong opponent it's the best thing you could wish."