Jurgen Klopp has underlined the role Liverpool supporters will have to play in helping their side achieve a first-leg victory over Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, insisting “You can be the decisive factor for us.”
The Reds will take on their old rivals for the first time in European competition when they go head-to-head in the initial game of the last 16 series at Anfield.
It means all the ingredients are in place to create an atmosphere to remember on Merseyside, and Klopp firmly believes it could ultimately make the difference.
“Hopefully everybody can show from the first second on they’re really happy with this game and really excited with this game,” Klopp told his pregame press conference.
“Everybody needs to be in the best shape in these two legs and the crowd is involved. You know I believe in the influence of the crowd …
“We really enjoy the relationship with the crowd and it helps, there is absolutely no doubt about it. We can show that we can create a better atmosphere in the first leg than Manchester United in the second leg.
“It’s very, very important and it can be very decisive for sure. It’s a big part of football – and if it was not a big part, we could play without supporters in the park.
“So it is a big part of things and hopefully tomorrow we set an absolutely new level in the younger history of LFC. I am sure it is not possible or easy to jump over all things that LFC fans did in the past, but since I’m here, no problem. They can do the best performance in the stands if they want and I’m open for this, it would be cool.”
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Thumbnail photo via LiverpoolFC.com
