'Absolutely interesting' - Jürgen Klopp ready for Monterrey semi-final
Liverpool's analysis of FIFA Club World Cup opponents Monterrey is well under way as Jürgen Klopp outlined his side's motivation for the tournament.
The Reds touched down in Qatar on Sunday evening to prepare for their pursuit this week of a trophy the club has yet to win.
Klopp admitted the competition was, by necessity, at the back of his mind until the squad arrived, but their tilt at becoming world champions is now his focus.
Asked how much he is looking forward to the competition, the manager told Liverpoolfc.com in Doha on Monday morning: “A lot, now we are here.
“It was really difficult [to be] looking forward to something when you have so many hurdles in between now and then. All the games we had and you know the situation: we have to win each and every game.
“Now we have an idea, a second ago I left the Monterrey analysis meeting, we have another one tomorrow. Now we started preparing the boys.
“Yesterday was on a plane pretty much, we arrived here late. This morning was a FIFA meeting. Apart from that, a little bit of treatment for the boys, not more.
“This afternoon, first session but a public session, everybody can watch it – it’s OK, we do some simple stuff to get the legs fresh again and prepare the game.”
CONCACAF Champions League winners Monterrey entered the Club World Cup at the quarter-final stage, seeing off Al Sadd 3-2 on Saturday to set up a meeting with the Reds.
Klopp studied that tie during the team’s seven-hour flight to Qatar on Sunday and is intrigued by the encounter in prospect at Khalifa International Stadium.
“On the plane I could watch Al Sadd against Monterrey,” he said. “It was an interesting game, really lively, two teams with good football and good footballers on the pitch.
“Slightly different organisation, things we need to get used to, all that stuff. It’s Mexican style, if you want – full of passion, how you would imagine. We are looking forward to it.
“It’s absolutely interesting; it’s my first game against a Central American team I think, in a proper competition. Let’s try to make the best of it.”