The atmosphere at Anfield Road actually has a good reputation, but Jürgen Klopp has recently been dissatisfied with it. Ahead of the top match against Arsenal, the Liverpool FC coach addressed his own fans in no uncertain terms
It can’t really be because of the performances and results of the recent past that Liverpool FC supporters are somehow disgruntled in the run-up to Christmas. The Reds are right at the front of the championship race, with the top game against leaders Arsenal giving them a possible lead in the table over the festive period. On Wednesday evening, they also advanced to the semi-finals of the League Cup with a thumping 5:1 win over West Ham at Anfield Road.
And yet the atmosphere during this sometimes furious victory was anything but what Jürgen Klopp had imagined. So much so that the LFC coach actually criticized his own supporters after the final whistle – quite directly, in fact.
“The team played brilliantly in the first half, but I wasn’t overly happy with the atmosphere,” complained the 56-year-old, visibly puzzled. “I asked the people behind me: ‘What do you want? We changed things and dominated West Ham – if I had been in the stands myself, I would have been standing on my toes the whole time. “
“Then give your ticket to someone else “
Klopp’s incomprehension turned to anger, and even more to a plea with Saturday’s showdown against Arsenal in mind. It will take place at Anfield Road.
“We need Anfield on Saturday,” Klopp said clearly – and he was even clearer: “If it’s too much soccer for you in December, if you’re not in the right frame of mind, then give your ticket to someone else.” In Liverpool, even the twelfth man will probably only be deployed when he is at full strength.
