Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp explains why Anfield is a ‘nightmare’ for opponents
The Reds have a 100 per cent home record this season, scoring 31 goals in 10 matches
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes Anfield is a “nightmare” for opposition teams as the ground has once again become a fortress for his side.
The 4-0 Europa League victory over LASK extended their 100 per cent home record to 10 matches this season, in which they have scored 31 goals and conceded just four.
Liverpool have not lost at home in any competition since their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid in February, and domestically it stretches back to October last year.
They have dropped just six points in the Premier League in that time in a run of 18 wins and three draws.
“It is our home, it must, must, must be a difficult place to come,” said Klopp on their Anfield record.
“I said to the boys (before the LASK game), I think for every player, if they are not playing at Liverpool and play in a different country, playing at Anfield is a dream.
“But actually it must be a nightmare and that is what we try to do. It didn’t work out all the time but when our people are at it, it makes a massive difference.
“So it is cool, but I think my best skill is not feeling at all winning streaks. I just don’t feel it because the next game is so important, so different, so difficult.
“That’s why I don’t think they help really, maybe for the other team to think it’s a difficult place to go, but for us each game stays difficult because of the quality of the opponent.”
I think for every player, if they are not playing at Liverpool and play in a different country, playing at Anfield is a dream. But actually it must be a nightmare
Fulham, who have scored just 13 times in as many Premier League matches, are the next side to try to break Liverpool’s streak on Sunday.
They may have been given hope by the hamstring injury to goalkeeper Alisson Becker, which has put back-up Caoimhmin Kelleher in line for his longest run in the side, having never played more than three consecutive games for the club.
The Republic of Ireland international, whose appearances this season have so far been limited to the Europa League and Carabao Cup, warmed up with some good saves in the final 20 minutes of the LASK win having not been tested before that.
Klopp has previously described Kelleher as the world’s best number two and he has no doubts about the 25-year-old’s potential to elevate himself further.
“We see him every day in training, he is an exceptional talent,” said the manager.
“Maybe we don’t mention the name often enough but (goalkeeping coach) John Achterberg said to me from day one when I was in that this will be our homegrown boy who will make it.
“We had discussions in the summer obviously about (moving on), but as long as we don’t have a solution we cannot loan players.
“He is homegrown and the first responsibility is to do the best for Liverpool, then we have to see how we can sort it.
“Now obviously for him it is a situation he did not want to have, but obviously because you want opportunities, you want to play, now he will get a few games, definitely. I trust him.”
Kelleher insists he is ready for an extended run in the side and that LASK proved a useful warm-up.
“I know it’s obviously been a long time (since being in the first-choice team) but I’m always training for that, to try and be ready and if something does happen to Ali – unfortunately something has – then I’m ready to go in and try to help the team get some more wins,” he told LFCTV.
“It was a good performance and that gives me confidence to build on and hopefully I can back that up with another good performance on Sunday.”