Jürgen Klopp: Anfield needs no team-talk tonight

The Reds play host to the Blues in a Merseyside derby encounter under the floodlights, and the boss feels the home crowd’s role can be key in determining the outcome.

Klopp wrote in his programme notes for ‘This is Anfield’: “The schedule and the impact on both teams, allied with the fact that it’s likely but not certain that both starting line-ups will be different in some way, means this game should be viewed in its own right – not a continuation of the league encounter.

“Sam will have his team focused with the highest of motivation for this. His players will be extremely hungry to end our involvement in this season’s FA Cup.

“Derby matches are wonderful, intense occasions at the best of times – but add in that this is in a knockout competition and under the lights, so early in the New Year, and that means both teams will recognise the importance and emotion involved with a game like this one.

“With such a big following coming from ‘across the park’, the atmosphere inside Anfield will be different as well. Their numbers are greater than for the league game, but I know that will only inspire our supporters even more for the job they have to do tonight.

“I think back to the Leicester game on the 30th and the away end at Turf Moor on the 1st of January and remembering the noise and encouragement the team got from our supporters sends a tingle down my spine.

“They gave our players the extra yard – the extra spring – you need when facing the highest quality opposition, against the backdrop of a schedule designed to test every facet you have.

“Anfield needs no team-talk tonight. It knows it can play its part in helping us get the job done – and for that we are always grateful.”

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