Klopp: Fans are our energy source - add power to us again
Jürgen Klopp wants Liverpool to plug into their 'energy source' at Anfield – the home crowd – when they take on Crystal Palace this afternoon.
The Eagles were the last team to beat the Reds at the stadium in the Premier League, some 21 months and 31 matches ago.
But Klopp is prepared for a tough examination against Roy Hodgson’s side and not just because of the warning served by their 3-2 victory at Manchester City last month.
“Trust me when I say this is as difficult a game as we could possibly face,” the manager writes in his matchday programme notes.
“People will probably have talked exhaustively about their recent win in Manchester as a warning and yes it is. But to only focus on that ignores the fact they have been exceptionally hard to defeat since Roy has arrived – last season and this.
“They have players of the highest quality who embrace a stage like this. We must be ready, we must be at our best, we must be hungry and greedy, or we will not get the outcome we desire – it’s that simple.
“[There have been] challenges we have faced with injuries, but the response from the players since these setbacks has only added to my admiration for them as a group.
“They demonstrated in Brighton, as a collective, that they will adapt and do everything that puts the team ahead of the individual. This is the only way to be successful.
“This is a group who ‘gets it’ in abundance. We fight and battle for each other and the supporters at all times – for our club. We do all we can to make sure the outcome for everyone associated with Liverpool is the first, second, third and only priority.
“The attitude and the focus remains at the highest level at Melwood and this will be our biggest asset as we progress through the season. It will help us in every circumstance, most of all when the inevitable knocks and setbacks come. When knocked down, we pick each other up – that’s our way.
“This is also evident with the fans and the relationship they have with the team. In our last home game against Arsenal we fell behind and the reaction was as perfect from the home sections of Anfield as any manager, coach or player could hope for. We will need this again, I’m sure.
“The supporters are our energy source and today I’m sure they will again give us additional power – they never let us down.”
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