Klopp Confident: Liverpool Primed for Europa League Triumph in 2021

Liverpool's manager, Jurgen Klopp, is firm in his belief that the team is entering the Europa League with the sole intention of winning it. As they travel to Linz to face LASK on Thursday, Klopp emphasizes their eagerness to compete rather than to offer opportunities. This marks Liverpool's return to the tournament since their loss in the 2016 final against Sevilla, which occurred during Klopp's inaugural season as manager.

Liverpool have achieved remarkable success under Klopp, winning the Champions League, reaching two additional finals, and securing victories in the Premier League, the Club World Cup, the FA Cup, and the Carabao Cup. However, Klopp has yet to conquer the Europa League, making it the only major trophy that has eluded him during his nearly eight-year tenure at Anfield. Determined to complete his impressive collection of honors, the German manager is eager to add the missing piece.

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None of Liverpool's 2016 Europa League final squad remain at Anfield

"We are here to compete, not to give opportunities," he said.

In my first year, I initially felt that the Europa League may have been overwhelming for our team, but that perception changed when we reached the final. During our journey, we had to travel to Russia and faced the challenges of playing on a frozen pitch in Sion.

During that particular season, we had a distinct squad that wasn't fully prepared, yet we managed to overcome obstacles. It was only from the quarter-finals and semi-finals onwards that I believed we truly showcased exceptional performance.

It is a new era with a fresh lineup. Our preparations have greatly improved, making us even more thrilled to be here. In the past, we were unsure of what to anticipate, so now we fully appreciate the experience.

Our motivation levels are at an all-time high, and we are eagerly looking forward to competing in the Europa League. I purposely didn't watch the Champions League matches this week, so I did not feel any longing for its anthem.

None of the players from Liverpool's 2016 final squad still play at Anfield, except for Joe Gomez, who was 18 at the time but was sidelined due to injury. He is currently the only player from that squad who participated in the Europa League. Although there have been notable changes to the team this summer, the essential group of players that won that trophy still remains intact. As a result, Klopp's side is heavily favored to surpass their achievements from seven years ago.

Liverpool must embrace Europa League - and try to win Klopp's missing trophy

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Jurgen Klopp is aiming for Europa League glory as he looks to add the only major piece of silverware that has eluded him so far

We' Joe Shread:

So after eight seasons in the Champions League, it's back to the Europa League for Liverpool.

Liverpool last competed in Europe's second-tier tournament in the 2015/16 season, with Jurgen Klopp leading the team in his first full campaign at Anfield. Despite reaching the final, their journey was halted by Europa League specialists Sevilla. Since then, Klopp has greatly transformed Liverpool, with players like Simon Mignolet and Nathaniel Clyne having made the most appearances for the team during that memorable Europa League run.

This time, Klopp's squad is filled with talented players. Although players like Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah may not be thrilled about playing in the Europa League this season, Klopp will undoubtedly encourage them to embrace the opportunity. Liverpool stands as the clear favorites to win the tournament, as evident from the eight groups of four. The added incentive of playing the final in Dublin, which is home to a significant number of Liverpool fans and a short trip from Anfield across the Irish Sea, adds further motivation.

Liverpool rarely participates in the Europa League nowadays, making it essential for them to seize this opportunity. Additionally, Klopp can emphasize that winning this tournament is the only major achievement he has yet to accomplish with the club.