Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has pleaded with the Reds fans to show respect to the travelling fans of AS Roma outside the stadium when in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg clash at Anfield.
Liverpool fans attacked the Manchester City bus conveying players and broke windows as the visitors were making their way into Anfield for the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
Liverpool are bidding to reach their first UEFA Champions League final since they suffered defeat against AC Milan in 2007.
“Outside the stadium please show the respect we have to show. This is an outstanding football club known for its fantastic atmosphere, so we don’t need to throw things at the bus,” Klopp said during his pre-match conference on Monday ahead of the game.
“In the stadium do it again and better.
“Please show the respect that they deserve. We are only opponents on the pitch. Everyone knows what a wonderful place Rome is and not all people know how wonderful Liverpool is and we can show that in twenty minutes.”
Klopp was also pleased with Mohamed Salah who was crowned the Professional Footballers Association Player of the Year on Sunday.
“I’m really happy for Mo Salah winning the PFA Player of the Year and he can be proud of this fantastic achievement,” Klopp added.
“To win it when Kevin De Bruyne plays a season like he did, is even more special. The players know how difficult it is to score that many goals and be involved in that many goals so I think it’s deserved.”
He added that Salah is well prepared to face the Egyptian star’s former club.
“It is normal in football for players and managers to change clubs and play against their old colleagues. I had it against Borussia Dortmund two years ago.
“It’s a normal game but it feels quite special because you are more interested in the other team than you usually are. He became the player he is today thanks to Roma and credit must go to their players and staff for his development.
“Italian defenders are famous for not having friendly games so I think Mo (Salah) will know pretty soon that they are not his teammates anymore and then he can strike back in football terms.”
Klopp added that his opposite number at Roma, Eusebio Di Francesco, possesses same qualities as himself.
“We both wear glasses, we are bad shavers,” he said.
“We’ve gone in similar way to the big clubs, he started with smaller clubs and had some success, like we did.
“He loves football and that is obvious. He has a football playing side so maybe there are a few similarities but that doesn’t make it easier for him or me.
“I don’t think it makes sense for an Italian club to work with me because I can only order spaghetti in a restaurant.
“We will see what happens but not in the next four years for sure.”
The post Klopp Begs Liverpool Fans Not To Stone Roma Bus, Hails “Special” Salah appeared first on Complete Sports Nigeria.
