Klopp backs Reds all the way to handle familiar foes

LFC manager insists he has no fears despite PSG duo Mbappe and Neymar return

Jurgen Klopp
Author: Adam PhillipsPublished 28th Nov 2018
Last updated 28th Nov 2018

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp declares he has no fear when it comes to his players being able to handle Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in tonights Champions League match.

Klopp declares his concerns are diminished after having watched the duo around "500,000 times on YouTube''.

Paris St Germain's key pair will play in the Parc des Princes match this evening after they are declared fit again from injuries sustained on international duty.

Klopp's side managed to keep them at bay for most of their first meeting at Anfield - Mbappe scoring an 83rd-minute equaliser before Roberto Firmino snatched an added-time winner - and he is confident they can do the same again.

"I am completely happy with our individual quality and I believe 100 per cent in the group but that is the same with Thomas Tuchel and his players''.

"It is much more difficult to prepare a game when my players don't know an opponent, which happens from time to time - We give them videos but this generation probably watch 500,000 YouTube videos of Mbappe, Neymar and they know about their individual strengths more than I do".

"But they can only shine with the ball so that means we have to defend them. It is difficult to close spaces and if you don't close it one time, not only with the quality but the speed, you have no chance".

Liverpool will go through if they win and Red Star Belgrade do not beat Napoli but Klopp knows it is a big ask to win in the French capital, where PSG's last 20 Champions League matches have brought them no losses, with 15 victories and five draws.

"We know about the qualification rules but we are here tomorrow night to win a football game with all we have. We don't go for a specific result, we want to be as good as possible".

"You have to be brave and that's what we did in the first game. We were so attack-minded even in our defending, constantly front-footed. It is something Paris are not used to because they are so dominant in the league, we have to make sure they are not that dominant against us".

"It is a tough one to come to Paris and go for a result but I think we should try. We don't think about it too much. We are sportsmen and we want to win games".