Football
Glenn Price, Liverpool correspondent 6y

Jurgen Klopp rallies Liverpool fans, urges players to be 'brave' vs. City

Jurgen Klopp has urged Liverpool supporters to take the atmosphere to "the next level" and told his players they need to be "brave" if they are to take down Manchester City in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

Liverpool host City at Anfield on Wednesday evening in their first appearance at that stage in of the Champions League since 2009.

With City able to secure the Premier League title on Saturday, Klopp said he is fully aware of the challenge Liverpool must overcome if they are to reach the semifinals of Europe's premier club competition.

"They are the best team in Europe at the moment and so that makes it quite difficult," Klopp said on Tuesday. "What they do, they do at the highest level, but we still know there's a chance, it is possible to defend it.

"If you are brave, if you are ready to make mistakes, if you are ready to enjoy the work and your attitude is at the highest level, [and] if your character is at the highest level, then you have a chance. That's the only thing I need.

"[City] are special in a lot of ways -- creativity, decision making, mixed up with speed and rhythm breaks, that's quite special, but in the end, it is limited by players and pitch size. We know what we have to do."

Liverpool handed City their only league defeat of the season when the two teams played out a thrilling 4-3 spectacle on Jan. 14.

And with Liverpool seeking to claim a first-leg advantage at home, Klopp said it is important that the fans make their excitement known throughout the game.

"I don't think I have to say something," Klopp told Liverpool's website. "What I feel and am aware of is that the excitement in the city is really big. Everybody knows what they have to do. But if you think you did your best job already ... bring yourself to the next level!

"That's what I really expect and what we need. It's the strongest opponent we could get, but I know City respect us a lot -- they don't think they are already through."

Klopp also stressed how his team need to replicate the same levels of intensity and fearlessness if they are to hold an advantage prior to next week's second leg at the Etihad Stadium.

"It is much easier to say than to do," he said. "Use the spaces. Go into the challenge, try to win it.

"Be next to someone, try to help them. Be there, not waiting or thinking, 'Wow! Who is coming? Who can take the ball?' Be lively. Everything we do with the ball can cause City problems.

"It's difficult to be brave against them because you can suffer. Pep couldn't play the football he plays without these players. He's smart enough to bring them all together.

"I couldn't play the football I play without my players because if I say: 'Go there when we have the ball' and they have no speed, then it makes no sense.

"You need to have a plan for your players and then it is a mix of quality and character.

"Sitting back is not a solution against City. Be there where there is a chance to get the ball. If we can win it then we have a chance. If not? It is very, very difficult."

Meanwhile, Liverpool's Andy Robertson is hopeful that he can contain Raheem Sterling on Wednesday night as he did in January.

Sterling, who left Liverpool for City in 2015, was substituted early in the recent Anfield encounter following a difficult afternoon.

"Yeah, I would say I got the better of him in January but it was no easy task," Robertson said.

"I never got forward that game as much as I would have wanted and that is credit to him and his work rate. It was tough. I managed to do my defensive duties and I will be looking to do that again.

"Raheem has been incredible this season. His stats and what he has been doing for City is unbelievable. He is on his way to being a world class player. He is improving every week so it will be another tough task."

The left-back added: "When a player comes back to a club that maybe does not agree with why he left or they don't like him, they get booed.

"I have seen that umpteen times. But I think Raheem is getting older and can start dealing with that.

"It might have been a factor in the last game, you'd have to ask him. But as a team we never let him or any of their boys settle and we need to look to do the same again."

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