Klopp satisfied with Liverpool progression

Prior to victory in Kazan at the beginning of November, Liverpool had taken just 3 points from their first 3 Europa League games and qualification was still very much in doubt, particularly in light of how dismissively Brendan Rodgers had previously treated the competition.

But with the arrival of Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, results steadily improved, with a home draw against Rubin Kazan followed by victory away. A win at home to Bordeaux then set the team up for progression, with just a draw away at Sion required to guarantee top spot.

With that final tie safely negotiated, Liverpool can now look forward to European football in the New Year. Something that has not been the case more often than not in recent seasons.

Topping a fairly tricky group is a nice achievement and Klopp was satisfied with what he (like the rest of us) perceived as a performance that saw Liverpool hurdle a difficult game comfortably, if not spectacularly.

Speaking in his press conference after the game, Klopp said (via Liverpoolfc.com): “It was difficult because the ground was very difficult to play on for both teams.

“The first thing to do tonight was to show character and show that you’re prepared for a game like this. That’s what my team did, so I’m really satisfied. Nobody is injured and they were very focused and concentrated on the game, so everything is okay.

“It was not the football we all know, our best football, but we also know that although it’s an outdoor sport, frozen ground is for other sports usually.

“Sion can play better too, so for both teams it was not easy – it was really, really difficult to play here.

“I am not surprised about their quality and it had influence on our game, but in football you have to take and accept the circumstances. In England we sometimes have wind and rain, but we cannot say we will stay inside – we have to play. That’s what we did today and everything is okay.”

With a whole host of top teams potentially awaiting Liverpool in the next round, it gives Reds fans something else to look forward to in 2016, with the team still going strong on three front, whilst the FA Cup is still yet to get under way at Anfield.

And Klopp feels that many teams will now start to take the competition seriously. Including, presumably, his Liverpool side. He continued: “That’s where we wanted to be after the game and that’s what we’ve done,” said the Reds boss. “A few weeks ago it was far away for us to reach this position, but we’ve done it, which is really good.

“We’ll see how important it is – there are a lot of very good teams in second place in the Europa League groups and good teams who have come in from the Champions League.

“Everybody who thought this tournament is not a first-class tournament will have to change their mind now – everyone will see it’s something like a mini Champions League. I am looking forward to the draw and we’ll see what happens.”