Jürgen Klopp wants Liverpool to harness the ‘power of Anfield’ over the remainder of this season – continuing today against AFC Bournemouth.
The manager believes the Reds’ home ground – where they are unbeaten since April 2017 – provides the team with a sizeable advantage over opponents.
And with six league games to go at Anfield, and a minimum of one Champions League tie, Klopp has outlined the difference supporters can make.
He wrote in his column for the official matchday programme: “It’s a tremendous feeling to be back playing at our home, a place that has been such a positive venue for us for so long now. The supporters are the reason for that.
“It feels like too much was made about our last home game and I do not want to add too many words of my own, but I do want to address some of the false perceptions that were amplified on the outside about our supporters.
“The most important thing always is that your support is never taken for granted. That is not allowed.
“When some people were critical of the atmosphere against Leicester I was grateful that they filled the ground on a night when the weather wasn’t the best and stayed with the team until the very end.
“This is why I come onto the pitch at the end of each game. It is wonderful if we can celebrate together but the main thing is that I show my appreciation for our supporters. If I could shake the hand of every one of them I would, but I don’t think the stadium can stay open long enough for me to do so for 50,000 people!
“What I would say is that it makes total sense that we all do our best when we are at Anfield. Whether it is me as manager, the players – who, like me, are fortunate to represent this club – or those of you in the stands, we all know that the greatest moments come when we all pull together. That is how I understand Liverpool. That, I would argue, is the only way to understand Liverpool.
“The good thing is we already know this. I do not use social media but a friend showed me a statement made by Spion Kop 1906 earlier this week and, for me, it captured everything that this club is about. The most important line said ‘Unity is Strength’ and I can think of no better message at this time.
“On and off the pitch it is about the Liverpool family and nobody else, especially on days like today when we need our opponent to feel the power of Anfield.”
Source: James Carroll
@James_Carroll84 on Liverpoolfc.com
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