Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp hits back at Marcelo Bielsa's claim about Anfield - 7M sport

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp hits back at Marcelo Bielsa's claim about Anfield

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp insists his side will still feel at home at Anfield without the usual home support - despite the claims of tomorrow's opponent Marcelo Bielsa


Posted Saturday, September 12, 2020 by Dailystar.co.uk

Liverpool will begin their defence of the Premier League title today with no fans at Anfield.

And Kop boss Jurgen Klopp will be hoping they aren't lifting the trophy again in front of empty stands again next May.

Like everyone in football, he doesn't want a season of no supporters as they prepare for their tea-time clash with Leeds to start the new campaign.

Every club in the Premier League will suffer with no crowds as it will hit them in gate revenue but also leave the stadiums sterile with no atmosphere.

But, for Liverpool, the continued lack of the roar from the Kop that so many players have pointed to helping them in the past will be sorely missed even if they dealt with it to finish the last campaign.

Klopp is aware of the ongoing battle with coronavirus and would never want any move to bring supporters back to be irresponsible as the world still fights the pandemic.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp hits back at Marcelo Bielsa's claim about Anfield

But if trials work across the continent then he sees no reason why the Premier League cannot follow in their footsteps soon despite fears the planned reintroduction in October will be delayed.

“I've mentioned from time to time that we are still in difficult times, so in this environment where we sit here and talk about football we tend to forget that for a few minutes,” he said.

“But things are not sorted out there, obviously. But I really hope that this will not be a season without supporters.

“I hope we can stick to the plans for October-November that some people can come back in a stadium. I really hope that because we have to give these things a try as well.

“If we can create a safe environment in the stadiums for people, and only then, then there should be opportunity for them, yes.
“It is part of our life. I hope it will happen sooner rather than later.”

Liverpool's famed Anfield atmosphere has been spoken about plenty and it is maybe why Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa said this week that the historic ground will not be the same without fans.

But Klopp said: “I know Marcelo said Anfield is not Anfield without supporters and he is right, in one way.

“But it is still Anfield, by the way. It is our home and we are Liverpool. That should not sound like a threat, but they did not play us very often before and it should feel different for them as well.”

Fans or no fans, Klopp and Co begin the defence of the title for the first time in 30 years as they look to equal Manchester United's record of 20 league crowns.

Klopp received congratulations from the United boss most responsible for that tally when Sir Alex Ferguson text him on the night the Reds secured No. 19.

Ferguson joked he wasn't happy to be woken by Klopp's response at 3.30am and the Kop boss knows the Scot won't be willing them on to repeat their success.

“I didn't expect him to have his phone next to his bed,” added Klopp.

“I didn't want to wake him up. If that happened then sorry Alex!

“But since then we have not been in contact.

“He is still the former Man United manager and I don't think he wants to talk to me too much about the success of Liverpool.

“He respects it but it's not his favourite thing to watch on television.”



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