The manager's message: Push us, let's play LFC football
Liverpool fans inside the stadium and around the world have a part to play in helping their team against Swansea City on Saturday, according to Jürgen Klopp.
The Reds return to Anfield for the first time in a fortnight as the Welsh club journey to Merseyside for a lunchtime kick-off in the Premier League tomorrow.
It marks the beginning of a run of four straight home matches for Klopp’s men, with Southampton in the EFL Cup, Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup and Chelsea in the Premier League to come.
Liverpool have not suffered a defeat at Anfield in any competition since last January – and the manager is eager for the collective efforts of the team, staff and supporters to continue.
“We did it all together,” he said in previewing the Swansea game. “And I hope, actually, that everybody feels this. I said it’s time again for a special atmosphere, but it’s not that I force it or really ask for it.
“I think we should have, meanwhile, enough proof that it really helps for all of us. It’s easier to enjoy a football game in a wonderful atmosphere; everybody is responsible for this. We know about our responsibility.
“Of course it helps. One of the biggest strengths of this club is the togetherness in difficult times. If you want, these games are always the one moment when you can really show it.
“In the world of the internet and social media, the whole week is kind of leading to the game. Everybody is on Twitter and Facebook, but the actual very important moment when you need all your energy is the game.
“I don’t care if you are in the stadium – that’s good, love it – [or not]. I want to have the full energy even when you are at home, in front of the television, in front of the laptop, in front of the smartphone or whatever. If you are with us, push us.”
On demand: Klopp's pre-Swansea press conference
While Liverpool’s aim on the afternoon will be to reclaim second place from Tottenham Hotspur and close the gap to leaders Chelsea, the visitors are attempting to climb out of the relegation zone.
‘Finals’ are how Klopp described fixtures for every club for the remainder of the season.
“For both teams, obviously it’s very important,” he added.
“Swansea are already playing for staying in the league, we play for whatever but each game – especially in your opinion – decides nearly the whole season. That’s really intense.
“But we are really looking forward to this opportunity. All we did until now is creating a base and we are still doing this for the finish. We will see when the finish actually starts. Maybe it has started already.
“We are still in the race and that’s really good. There is a lot of quality around. We had maybe the biggest problems in the last three, four, five weeks, of all the top teams in the league.
“I think we have coped pretty well with it. We didn’t speak a lot about it, we didn’t think a lot about it – we took it like it was or is. That’s the way we want to carry on and that’s really good.
“I like how my team takes all these challenges. Now, the next challenge, and a home game. Hopefully everybody is waiting for us and for this game.
“If the weather is like today, it’s the perfect location for a really good football game against a strong side. Respect this [and] do your best again [for an] outstanding atmosphere, very useful. Let’s play Liverpool football.”