Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has called for the crowd at Anfield for the clash agaisnt Arsenal to be as loud as ever.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has called on fans of the club to be in attendance and at their most boisterous when they host title rivals Arsenal this weekend.
Anfield has a reputation for being a daunting away test for even the most accomplished stars, but in the 5-1 trouncing of West Ham in an EFL Cup clash midweek, the atmosphere was lukewarm, and Klopp was displeased.
What Jurgen Klopp said
The German manager is aware of how integral the Anfield 12th man is to their ambitions. Liverpool are invincible at home this season; the draw against Manchester United was the first time they failed to win in front of their home fans this season.
Klopp hypothesised that the fans were probably miffed over the result against the Red Devils, as a pasting was anticipated, but Erik ten Hag's side escaped unscathed.
The German manager believes sensations from that clash bled into the midweek tie and that despite the incredible performance his players put up, the Anfield crowd did not seem entertained.
With the match against league leaders Arsenal coming up this weekend, Klopp called out the fans, demanding a more spirited showing against the Gunners, as he believes the stadium and its attendants will be integral to any chance of them taking maximum points against Arteta's side.
"I was not overly happy with the atmosphere behind me. I wondered what they wanted," he said about the win over West Ham.
"We need Anfield on their toes without me being in an argument with their coach or whatever. If you're not in the right shape, give your ticket to someone else."
Arsenal's boss, Arteta, is well familiar with the treacherous atmosphere of Anfield, and he once famously attempted to recreate it in a training session with speakers.
The Gunners came close to clinching their first victory at Anfield since a 2-0 win in 2011, but they saw a 2-0 lead slip last term. One point separates Arsenal at the top of the table from second-placed Liverpool, and Mikel Arteta will fancy his team's chances of opening a four-point lead.
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