Jurgen Klopp singled out three Liverpool stars for praise after Sunday’s 5-2 FA Cup win over Norwich but is concerned over an ’emotional’ Anfield crowd.
Liverpool cruised into the fifth round with a dominant victory over their Championship opponents in Klopp’s first game since announcing that he will leave his role as manager at the end of the season.
Five different players got on the scoresheet for the Reds with Curtis Jones, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch all producing goals.
But Klopp singled out three of his young stars, telling the BBC: ‘They are really good. We wouldn’t be where we are if these boys hadn’t made the next step.
‘James McConnell was put in the six because we had injuries in pre-season. Conor Bradley has everything at right-back. You can talk to him about tactics, he gets it.
‘Jarell Quansah is an adult centre-half and nothing else. Our big guns are back now and we play again in three days. Chelsea and Arsenal, it doesn’t get much bigger.’
Klopp, though, is worried about the Anfield crowd getting too emotional after he confirmed his impending departure and wants fans to focus on the team instead.
‘I get it, it’s very emotional,’ Klopp said. ‘I just have to make sure that I don’t get on that side of it.
‘I said they don’t have to do it because I know our relationship already. In the games, we need to be warriors and not celebrate the old man on the sidelines.
‘First match after the news and we can get used to it. Chelsea are in a good moment, it will be tough but let’s make sure we are ready for that.’
Speaking to ITV, Klopp added: ‘It was great for the fans to show their love to me and we need an atmosphere on the pitch.
‘We need the crowd and for them not to think about the manager.
‘We need to forget it for a while and go for each opponent like crazy and that’s what we want to do and the next chance is on Wednesday.’
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