England experts see Klopp’s team on the road to immortality
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp could be satisfied – and was. “Super goals, a top class performance,” he analyzed
Those: AFP / OLI SCARFF
Liverpool FC is on the verge of their third triumph in the Champions League after 2005 and 2019. Jürgen Klopp’s team exudes remarkable security. But the trainer says: “Wet our pants just before the toilet, it’s still wet our pants.”
JUrgen Klopp was thrilled. “We played a really good game for 95 minutes. Super goals, a top-class performance,” praised the coach after Liverpool FC’s well-deserved 2-0 (0-0) win in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Villarreal on Wednesday.
The former Dortmund champion coach didn’t want to know anything about a preliminary decision before the second leg next Tuesday: “It’s only half-time. There are 90 minutes left. It will be a completely different atmosphere. We have to make sure we’re ready for it.”
FC Bayern experienced a nasty surprise when they lost 1-0 in Villarreal in the quarter-finals. But if the Spaniards want to land another coup against Liverpool, they have to improve considerably. Because the Europa League winner had nothing to counter the constant pressure from the Reds (73 percent ball possession, 19:1 shots on goal, 654: 180 passes received). A cross deflected into goal by Pervis Estupinan from Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson (53′) and star striker Sadio Mané (55′) sealed the win.
First of all, patience was required at Liverpool FC
The spectators did not get to see a spectacle like the day before when Liverpool’s league rivals Manchester City beat Real Madrid 4: 3 in the first semi-final. Klopp hadn’t expected that either. Because Villarreal was well prepared for the power football of the Reds in the first half by the clever coach Unai Emery, who won 31 of his last 37 knockout duels in the European Cup. It was only in the second half that the Spanish defensive artists were no longer able to cope with the constant pressure and could still be satisfied with the result.
Until then, patience was required at Klopp. Because the seventh-placed team in the Primera Division knew very well how to delay the pace, break the flow of the English game and defend compactly on the defensive. In addition, the Spaniards had the necessary luck in the first round, such as Thiago’s long-range shot on the post (42nd).
Spanish newspaper El País commented: “Villarreal’s padlock shattered at Anfield. After showing iron strength in Turin and Munich and resisting for almost an hour in Liverpool. As the home team began to lose their nerve after a fierce but fruitless siege, a deflected cross from Jordan Henderson ricocheted off Estupiñán and landed in Rulli’s goal, shattering the fortress Emery had spent months of patiently spraying concrete.”
In the Liverpool camp, satisfaction was correspondingly high. “Our counter-pressing was really good. That made it difficult for the opponent, but the game is not over yet. It’s going to be tough in Villarreal,” said Captain Henderson and was already looking at the Premier League task in Newcastle on Saturday (1:30 p.m., in the WELT sports ticker).
The historic four-pack beckons
Because the title hunger in Liverpool is huge, the historic four-pack beckons. They’ve already won the League Cup, they’ve reached the FA Cup final against Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel, and Liverpool are just a point behind long-time rivals Manchester City in the league.
The prospect leaves Klopp cold. “Wet our pants just before the toilet, is still weed our pants. That’s why it’s not really close now, it doesn’t help either,” said the 54-year-old. The thought of possible titles “doesn’t matter” to Klopp, he said clearly: “I knew before the season that there were four titles.”
Given the tight schedule, especially for top English teams, Klopp said he “can’t think about any titles at all. We’re trying to get through the situation as best we can. We’re trying to prepare for the next game as best we can. We’re trying to help the guys keep it fresh and then we’ll see what comes of it.” It is already “a great season” for him at this point in time, emphasized Klopp.
But England’s experts are already looking forward to the crowning glory of this season. Former Liverpool striker and international Michael Owen believes Klopp’s team can make it big. “It’s actually impossible, but now you think it can happen. The way they play, their beliefs,” Owen gushed to BT Sport, adding: “It was total dominance. This is the best team I’ve ever seen in a red jersey.”
Even Rio Ferdinand, once a star defender at arch-rivals Manchester United, was enthusiastic: “They are relentless with and without the ball. It’s the way they put teams under pressure, the energy, the commitment, it’s amazing.” Referring to the quadruple, Ferdinand added: “If they achieve it, they are immortal, they are above anyone who has played the game in this country.”
