Jurgen Klopp wants a ‘special’ atmosphere at Anfield as his side face LASK in the Europa League on Thursday.
Liverpool can qualify for the next round of the Europa League with victory against LASK tomorrow night (Nov 30), but failing to do so would mean needing a result away to Union St. Gilloise on the final matchday.
The Reds had a 100 per cent record in Group E until the shock 3-2 defeat at Toulouse three weeks ago. That has delayed what looked like safe passage to the knockout stage and now Klopp is calling on Anfield to help get his players over the line.
He said: “We have to make sure this a European night. A proper European night at Anfield.
“We as a team 100% arrive in this competition and that’s what I want us to do. We need to make a special night of it. We need to show the full package.”
Klopp confirmed that he will be without both Alisson and Diogo Jota in the coming weeks after the pair picked up injuries in the 1-1 draw at Manchester City at the weekend. The Reds boss added that the Brazilian goalkeeper is likely to be back before the Portuguese.
He said: “Both are out. With Alisson it is a bit lesser so we will have to see. He’s not going to play tomorrow or on Sunday, probably not the week after, then he could be kind of OK.
“But Diogo will take a little bit longer. We don’t know exactly how long but it is a bit more serious.”
With the number one goalkeeper out, it will be a chance for Caoimhin Kelleher to step in and show he can deputise effectively.
Klopp confirmed the Irishman would have played tomorrow night regardless of any injuries and has full confidence in his number two.
He said: “That’s why we wanted Caoimhin here for these moments. You need the strongest possible option and that’s Caoimhin for us. He would have played tomorrow night, but he’ll have a few more games to show his potential.”
Looking ahead to a busy portion of the season over the festive period, the German manager also warned his side not to take their Austrian opponents lightly.
He said: “We are in the beginning of the most intense period of the whole season. We play now Thursday-Sunday, it’s super tough. So, I have to make decisions.
“It’s not about qualifying. It’s about winning a football game against a really good opponent. We won there, yes. But we had our struggles in the game.”
