Friday 14 September 2018

Jurgen Klopp hits back at Gary Neville, says Liverpool won't prioritise Premier League over Champions League


Stewart Robson explains how Jurgen Klopp's men can take on Manchester City and secure their first top flight title in 28 years. 

Jurgen Klopp has hit back at Gary Neville after the former Manchester United defender told The Times that Liverpool should "kick" the Champions League "into touch" in order to focus on winning the Premier League.

Liverpool are without a league title since 1990 and a domestic trophy since 2012, and Neville said that their pursuit of breaking this duck could be burdened by European commitments.

Despite Liverpool sitting top of the Premier League, Klopp said it is not possible for the five-time European Cup winners to put off their Champions League campaign, which begins on Tuesday when Paris Saint-Germain visit Anfield.

"How should that work? What do we do? We don't play Champions League or what?" Klopp told a news conference. "Gary should come over and tell me exactly how that would work. How do you prepare a game and not focus on it? You bring your kids in the Champions League? That would be funny!

"I don't know what he means with that, to be honest. We have to play football. A lot of people watch our games when we play Champions League and that's our job that we do the best we can do in all these games.

"That's what we try. I don't know exactly what it means but to focus on one competition can only be if maybe you are already out of the competition nearly.

"If it's late in the season that you see you have a chance to do that or do this and all that stuff.

"Last year, for example, we had no chance to focus on one competition because we had to qualify for the Champions League and I don't think that even Gary Neville would have said: 'Quarterfinals of the Champions League, let City win.'

"It doesn't work like this. I don't want to be too critical because I don't know exactly how he said it but sitting in an office and talking about football is completely different to doing the job, to be honest. But it's an opinion."

Meanwhile, Liverpool remain in talks with Jack Robinson about becoming an assistant goalkeeping coach at the club, sources have told ESPN FC.

Robinson, who currently works for the England Football Association coaching under-15s to U17s, would serve under John Achterberg, Liverpool's goalkeeping coach.

His proposed role would see him work closely with young goalkeepers Kamil Grabara and Caoimhin Kelleher -- both of whom are highly rated and train regularly at Melwood. That would allow Achterberg to focus more on senior goalkeepers Alisson and Simon Mignolet.

Sources have told ESPN FC that Robinson is highly thought of within goalkeeping circles, having previously worked at Manchester United's academy before taking up a position at the FA.

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