Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp shared his thoughts ahead of the Community Shield meeting against Man City on Saturday.
The annual English curtain-raiser takes place at King Power Stadium in Leicester on Saturday. English heavyweights Liverpool are up against Man City for the chance to lift the Community Shield trophy.
Liverpool finished off the last season with two domestic cups and being runners-up in the Premier League and the Champions League. Moreover, it was Man City who narrowly topped the league on the last day.
Saturday will present an opportunity for the Reds to lay down an early marker ahead of next week’s Premier League return. Moreover, Klopp is eyeing the one piece of silverware he is yet to secure in his Anfield reign so far.
So here are the five things to look for from Klopp’s pre-Man-City press conference.
Klopp shares both good and bad news in the pre-Man City press conference.
Alisson and Jota’s injuries
Klopp updates on both Alisson’s and Jota’s injuries, as both will miss out on the weekend’s action against Man City. However, Klopp assured the Brazilian will “definitely be available” for the opening day at Fulham having started his training this week.
Moreover, Caoimhin Kelleher is sidelined with injury, meaning third-choice keeper Adrian will start the game on the weekend.
Meanwhile, speaking about Diogo Jota, Klopp says, “will take a while, unfortunately.”
The Reds are set to play another friendly, during the season.
Confirming about another friendly has been arranged after the Reds’ trip to Fulham in the opening game, to which Klopp says:
We have to extend our pre-season into the season, we play on Saturday against City and we play Sunday a test game against Strasbourg, then we play Fulham and the next day we play another game just so we can extend our pre-season,
It’s just what we have to do because from mid-August on, I think, we play every three days again. There’s no time for training anymore.
Moreover, according to reports in The Echo, Liverpool will play against Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa in a behind-closed-doors match on August 7.
Roberto Firmino’s future
Firmino has entered into the final year of his contract at Liverpool, and lately, numerous reports stated the Brazilian’s link to Juventus.
However, speaking of Bobby’s situation, Klopp showered praise on the forward, but he remained cautious about the future of Liverpool’s No.9.
Klopp says:
Bobby is crucial for us. Bobby is the heart and soul of this team,
The way we played in the last few years was only possible because of Bobby and that’s why I’m really happy that he could train the majority of pre-season so far.
Everything looks really good, I’m absolutely fine. For me, there’s no doubt about his quality.
All the rest, we will see how this year goes. But yes, he is essential for us.
We all know, how lethal Firmino is when he’s fit, just hoping he stays fit and rests everything will follow.
Klopp on Community Shield game against Man City
The curtain-raiser game at King Power Stadium is surely Klopp eyeing to win. Previously on two occasions, Klopp’s side failed to win against Man City and Arsenal in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
Moreover, Liverpool haven’t got their hands on the charity game trophy since 2006. So far, the Merseysiders have been winners of Community Shield on 10 occasions.
Speaking about the Community Shield’s importance, Klopp says:
It’s very important – It’s the last domestic cup competition we haven’t won yet so we’ll give it a try!
Let’s grab it this time, Jurgen!
Klopp on young Carvalho’s impact
Liverpool were active very early in the transfer window to sign Fabio Carvalho, and rightfully the youngster has caught the eyes of many in his four pre-season games. Definitely, very early to say but the Portugal U-21 international could go on to become one of the Liverpool greats.
Seeing the 19-years-old gliding past opponents in pre-season friendlies, the teenager appears to be a new version of Philippe Coutinho.
Klopp’s take on Carvalho:
He’s a technical player, he’s incredibly creative and we will have a lot of fun with him, definitely.
Fabio last night was OK, but he can be much better. We need all these kinds of things. He’s an open young man, top addition for us.
There is still plenty to work on with Fabio, but we believe Liverpool have found a gem for only £5 million.
