Jurgen Klopp is determined to put last seasonâs Champions League success to bed and focus on the challenges to come, even as his side look forward to a week full of reminders ahead of Wednesdayâs European Super Cup against Chelsea.
Liverpool boss Klopp looked bemused after Fridayâs 4-1 victory over Norwich in their Premier League opener when asked why the team had not paraded the European Cup prior to kick off.
âNobody told me I had to,â Klopp said. âI touched the European Cup on the match day and the day after, and since then, no.
âI didnât have a reason to. I know how it feels, and people know how it looks. If somebody expected (something before kick-off) they should have told me, and Iâm pretty sure I wouldnât have done it because we are now in the new season.â
Liverpool now travel to Istanbul to face Europa League winners Chelsea in Wednesdayâs Super Cup, so Klopp will no doubt face plenty more questions relating to his sideâs 2-0 win over Tottenham in Madrid on June 1.
The Kop were loud and proud about their status as six-time European Champions on Friday night, but Klopp says he has moved on.
âEnough celebrations,â he said. âNobody has to congratulate me anymore, even though still they are doing it.
âIâm really fine with everything I heard about it. Now letâs play the new season.â
Liverpool certainly did not look like a side dwelling on their successes as they tore into Norwich, capitalising on the gift of Grant Hanleyâs seventh-minute own goal to score four times in the first half with Mo Salah, Virgil Van Dijk and Divock Origi also on the scoresheet.
It was the sort of performance which suggests they are ready to once again push title favourites Manchester City to the wire after missing out by a single point last campaign.
But the intensity did not continue in the second half as a couple of chances went begging before Norwich began to assert themselves, pulling a goal back through Teemu Pukki.
âWe are early in the season and some mistakes happen that will not happen during the season,â Klopp said.
âBut itâs all good. If somebody would have told me before the game we would win 4-1, I would have taken it easily.
âIf somebody would have told me weâd play the first 60 minutes like we played tonight, Iâd say, âOK, I take itâ.â
However, there was a significant setback on the night with goalkeeper Alisson Becker limping off before the break with a calf injury, forcing Adrian into making his debut just four days after signing as a free agent, and leaving Klopp with a potential headache at the back.
Norwich had plenty of headaches in the first 45 minutes as Liverpool punished the slightest mistake at the back but manager Daniel Farke said he could only be proud of his players and their attacking intent as they had 12 shots, five of which were on target.
âWe showed great character to come out and win the second half after being 4-0 down at Anfield,â he said.
âWe caused them many, many problems and Iâve been told no team had as many shots on goal last season at Anfield as we had. I canât criticise my lads too much.
âIâm in love with this team, and in love with this club, and in love with these fans. Although we lost this game, we showed today why we are so special.â
Provided by Press Association Sports