The pre-press conference features Jurgen Klopp and his view about the game against Leicester City. The Reds take on The Foxes at the King Power Stadium on 28th December 2020.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s boxing day fixture against Leeds United was postponed. As Leeds didn’t have enough players due to Injury and rising Covid-19 cases in the team.
Liverpool‘s last Premier League game was a draw against Spurs. They increased their one-point difference to three points with the leaders in the table.
While Leicester City lost their last game against the leaders’ Manchester City 6-3. The Foxes would be looking for revenge for their defeat in the Carabao cup quarterfinal against the Reds in the penalty shootout.
5 Key points from Jurgen Klopp’s pre-match press conference for Leicester clahs
Covid Situation
The first question was asked about the current COVID cases, the boss was happy to say that all his players are fine and the ones affected are also back. Further, there are three new cases in the club.
The boys who had to isolate are back. Fabinho, Virgil Van Dijk, Curtis Jones, and Thiago. Thiago was the latest, he trained with the first team again yesterday.
One young player and two staff [members] are now isolating. But apart from that we are fine.
The Boxing day
Even though Klopp would have been glad that the players got rest still he was sad for not playing on the boxing day and also shared his view on changing the fixtures.
The situation should not be like this. We can discuss it every year. We wanted to play and could play on Boxing Day but it was because of Leeds so we accept that.
But playing on the 26th and 28th is just not right. I say it because it’s true. I think we can find solutions for that, it’s not that difficult.
26th to 29th, where is the problem in that? We all want to play on Boxing Day, everyone one loves it but we will not stop discussing it because if we don’t, it stays like this. The players need help.
The Real Problem
Klopp, who is usually a person who thinks a lot about his players, speaks about the ‘five substitution rule’ and expressed his ideology saying that it is something that the Premier League needs now especially during Pandemic.
You need 14 votes to change it. Some players definitely have the issue, and it is decided by other teams. That is a real problem.
It is the right decision [to have five subs] because you bring players back after Covid or injury, and they have to play immediately. Then they go out again because you cannot get them off after 60 minutes.
The best league in the world, and the most intense league in the world, is the only league in Europe – and maybe the world, I don’t know – still with three subs. And that’s not right.
The Best away performance
The 2019 boxing day fixture against Leicester City at King Power Stadium. Three days after lifting the FIFA Club World Cup 2019 in Qatar. The Reds win the away game 4 – 0, a brilliant performance, and one of the best away games under the German Manager.
After we came back from Qatar we had absolutely no idea how we will deal with that intensity because we played two games there in a middle of a very intense period, different climates.
You have no idea how the boys will react but the reaction was absolutely special.
It was one of the best away performances we produced since I am here, it was outstanding.
Praises for the young talents from the academy
This season Liverpool had six academy players make their debut. Klopp praised the staff and the players at the academy for their efforts.
We are very thankful towards the academy that they produce these kind of guys.
The area were are living in gives you a specific character, education as well so they are not only good footballers they are really good boys as well.
Liverpool need these three points badly to stay in the hunt as the next game against Chelsea is also crucial. With the leaders’ Manchester city thriving forward the Reds has to stay on their tail to pounce back as leaders.
