Jürgen Klopp: No-one will hand us anything - it has to be earned
Jürgen Klopp has detailed the reasons why there can be no let-up in Liverpool’s intensity and hunger in each and every training session and game until the end of the season as they pursue their ambitions.
The Reds return to action at Anfield this afternoon to take on West Ham United, aiming to consolidate their position within the Premier League’s top four.
They go into the fixture on the back of a resounding 5-0 victory over FC Porto in the Champions League last 16, first leg last time out; however, there can be no room for complacency as Klopp has explained why the cut-throat nature of the two tournaments his side are still competing in means any easing off will be punished.
He wrote in ‘This is Anfield’: “After Southampton I spoke a little in the press conference about this season feeling unique, in as much as almost every team has big issues to fight and scrap for between now and the final whistle on the final afternoon.
“When you have a competition as strong as the Premier League it means every 90 minutes becomes an individual battle to be won. No one is going to hand you anything in this environment – everything has to be earned.
“Physically, we are in great shape at the moment and the credit for that goes to the players and the brilliant staff here at Liverpool tasked with looking after them and guiding them. But the challenge, for everyone, is going to be about mentality as well.
“It’s the mentality of being relentless in how you approach each day and each individual challenge; the mentality of never being satisfied or complacent in the sporting context but also never allowing setbacks to keep you on the ground. The nature and strength of the competitions we’re competing in mean it’s possible we will experience setbacks along the way between now and the season finishing.
"We must leave Anfield today knowing we have given our everything."
“We have proved we are a group that responds positively when faced with difficulties, and what has defined us so far is that we respond together. Be it setbacks in matches, or setbacks in terms of a specific result, we can achieve something special if we remain together at all times.
“This is our mindset for the run-in: every challenge we face, we do so collectively and in doing so we remain stronger and more resilient. Today is a perfect example of why mentality is critical to our approach.
“Our opponents today have enjoyed some really impressive performances and results since David Moyes has arrived there. They are a team with confidence and in a good moment. What they fight for is just as significant and important as what we are fighting for – this is going to be the case in every single fixture from now until May.
“We face opposition just as determined as we are. We have to respect this in our approach. West Ham have players of the highest quality, led by one of the most experienced managers in the Premier League, and they are giving everything in this moment. For us to get a positive result our hunger and desire has to be at 100 per cent – that’s for players, staff and supporters.
“The mentality of everyone wishing for a positive Liverpool outcome must be that we make it happen through our own actions – be that on the pitch or in the stands. We must leave Anfield today knowing we have given our everything. If we do that together, if we have that approach and that mentality together, we will enjoy our day together.”
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