Jurgen Klopp has appealed to fans to get behind Liverpool’s bid to beat Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday after a frosty atmosphere in their last two games at home.
Arsenal currently occupy first position on the 2023-24 Premier League points table with 39 points. Liverpool are in second position with 38 points.
“We need Anfield on Saturday,” said Klopp.
“Arsenal didn’t play this week. Anyone who knows anything about them knows they will be prepared, so we need Anfield on their toes from the first second, without me having an argument with the opposition coach.
“If it is too much football in December, if you are not in the right shape, give your ticket to somebody else.”
Klopp’s plea comes after Wednesday’s 5-1 win over West Ham in the Carabao Cup at Anfield. The victory gave Liverpool a semi-final berth.
“I’ve always been complimentary of Liverpool fans. It’s the biggest crowd they’ve had here in 60 or 70 years but it’s the quietest crowd I’ve seen in this game,” he added.
“In the first half, when the boys played exceptionally, I was not overly happy with the atmosphere behind me.
“I asked people, ‘What do they want?’ We changed a lot of things and we dominated West Ham like crazy and missed chances. If I was in the stands, I would be on my toes, 1,000 percent.”
🗣️ “If you are not in the right shape, give your ticket to somebody else”
Jurgen Klopp has criticised the atmosphere at Anfield during Liverpool’s 5-1 win over West Ham in the League Cup ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/qZt2IbwLZm
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 21, 2023
Liverpool went into the Carabao Cup fixture in the wake of a 0-0 draw against Manchester United in the EPL on Sunday.
“I don’t know if the Manchester United game was that bad that we have to say sorry we didn’t smash them? Maybe,” concluded Klopp.
