Jamie Carragher questions 'tone' of Jurgen Klopp's dig at Anfield faithful
Jamie Carragher believes Jurgen Klopp deliberately timed his remarks about the Anfield crowd ahead of Liverpool's top-of-the-table showdown against Arsenal on Saturday, suggesting that the German tactician is playing 'mind games' ahead of the crunch clash.
After the Reds' 5-1 demolition of West Ham United in the Carabao Cup quarterfinal, Klopp described the Anfield atmosphere against Manchester United as the worst he's ever seen for a game against the Red Devils as he issued a rallying cry to his supporters to 'be on their toes' from the first second against the Gunners.
Carragher, however, has questioned the tone of Klopp's comments, adding that his emotional plea is guaranteed to spice up what is already set to be an intriguing game at Anfield. A snippet from his weekly column from The Telegraph reads: "I get where Klopp is coming from in wanting to ensure the noise level matches what Arteta, as much as the Liverpool manager, expects. Klopp certainly guaranteed it would happen with his comments after the West Ham game, although I am not sure his tone was right.
"You only have to look at Klopp’s home record since he took over and compare it to what happened in lockdown to see the difference the supporters make. Liverpool lost six home games in a row behind closed doors. With fans, they have lost once at Anfield since 2017. Klopp has used that weapon to his advantage better than any Liverpool manager in the past 33 years. "I can’t help feeling that Klopp deliberately timed those remarks because Arsenal are up next. He wanted to get it into their heads what Saturday night will be like – it already being the perfect time for a special atmosphere. Has anyone mentioned mind games, yet?" Whether or not Klopp is playing mind games, it's certainly not wrong of him to expect the home fans to get behind the team, more so for a potentially title-defining game against the Gunners. Liverpool have Anfield a fortress under Klopp, but if they are to mount another title challenge, the charismatic German well and truly needs the home fans firmly on his side.
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