The Liverpool manager wants fans to give it bifters over both legs
He’s only been at Anfield barely over six months but already Jurgen Klopp has immersed himself in the local culture and nightlife, often being seen around the city centre and chatting away with fans. And now, it seems he’s starting to pick up some of the lingo too, throwing in the odd Scouse phrase when chatting in interviews.
Klopp was speaking to Liverpoolfc.com ahead of the game tonight, and was asked what to expect from Villarreal. He said: “They are a good side, very well organised and very hard-working, but with a lot of football skills.
“Of course, it is a very strong team – but what can you expect when you meet them in the semi-finals?
“There are a lot of positive things to say about Villarreal, but the most important thing to say is that all they have shown until now was against other teams than Liverpool FC.
“We feel not ‘safe’ or something, you can only feel ready and able. We want to do our best, 100 per cent and maybe, if it is necessary, more than our best.
“It’s good to know and good to feel in this moment that we have these two great games with a big, big goal behind them in the final in Basel. We are really looking forward to it.”
The Reds go into the game without the likes of Divock Origi, Emre Can and Jordan Henderson, along with Mamadou Sakho who is at the centre of a UEFA investigation at the moment.
Klopp will be able to field a strong side and bench still, with the likes of Christian Benteke returning to fitness. But the Liverpool manager believes the fans will have just as important a part to play over the two legs and wants Reds fans to ‘give it bifters’. He continued: “If you saw in what mood everybody was after the game, and during the game, against Dortmund and how pleased or whatever everybody was with the performance, the will, the readiness, the passion – all of these things – it was absolutely great and one of the best moments I think we’ve all ever had.
“So we should use it. We should use this atmosphere, we should use this motivation, we should create an atmosphere like this again.
“I am pretty sure we will take all the tickets we can get from Villarreal for Liverpool and then in the second leg, at home at Anfield, I think everybody knows we need each voice.
“We need each voice in this tournament and if everybody in the stadium is ‘givin’ it bifters’ then for sure it is easier for the team.”
Liverpool will take on Villarreal in the first leg of the semi final tonight at El Madrigal. Kick off at 20:05.
