Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has turned on his own fans ahead of Saturday’s huge Premier League match against Arsenal. The German was disappointed with the atmosphere in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final and has told supporters to give their tickets up if they are not prepared to get behind the team.
Liverpool smashed West Ham 5-1 to progress to the semi-final of the Carabao Cup. A Dominik Szoboszlai stunner and a Curtis Jones brace grabbed the headlines on a comfortable night for the Reds.
It was the second of three home games in the space of six days. Sunday saw Liverpool frustrated by Manchester United in a goalless draw.
Gary Neville questioned the Anfield atmosphere after that match, claiming it was the worst he had heard for a Liverpool v United fixture. But Klopp has now joined the United legend by criticising his own supporters.
He admits he was bemused by the lack of noise on Wednesday. And he has called for a major improvement against title rivals Arsenal this weekend.
Klopp said: “I thought in the first half the boys played really exceptionally. It was a long time ago now, but I have to say I was not overly happy with the atmosphere behind me. I asked people what do they want?
“We changed a lot of things and we dominated West Ham like crazy and missed chances. If I was in the stands I would be on my toes, 1,000 per cent. I don’t know if the Manchester United game was that bad that we have to say sorry we didn’t smash them.
“We need Anfield on Saturday. Arsenal didn’t play this week, they prepared for this game and anyone who knows anything about them knows they will be prepared.
“So we need Anfield on their toes from the first second, without me having an argument with the opposition coach or whatever. We need you from the first second.
“If it is too much football in December, I’m sorry, we have to play as well. If you are not in the right shape, give your ticket to somebody else.
“It was not negativity, it was just not the excitement I felt the performance deserved. There were so many good performances but we were only 1-0 up.
“We had so many challenges to be celebrated and we had a lot of chances but if it is the warming up for Saturday then I am happy.”
