Every word Jurgen Klopp said on Europa League, Liverpool team selection and LASK

Jurgen Klopp’s press conference has concluded.

The German is in high spirits in Linz despite a frustrating commute to Austria.

He has remained coy on his team selection but insists LASK will not be an easy game and that Liverpool have to fight for the win in their group opener.

One final question
“Will you enjoy the [local] food?”

JK: We have our own chef, she is from Munich and she likes to prepare regional specialities so we are suitably prepared.

Another normal day
The reporter has asked if Jurgen Klopp can sign his shirt.

JK: He wants a signed shirt, he has the shirt.

Klopp mimics the press officer’s scouse accent.

Q: ‘What do you think about LASK?’
JK: It will be a difficult game but what would I do against Liverpool? I would give it everything and Liverpool would not like it. We have to prepare it and we have to be as motivated as they are. We are excited, we didn’t watch the Champions League and didn’t miss the melody. So, we deserve Europa League like LASK too.

One more question
Jurgen Klopp is shown something on the phone and looks surprised. I wonder what that was. Jude Bellingham has scored the winner for Real Madrid vs Union Berlin, is it that?

Who knows. We may never know.

“We will give everything we’ve got”
JK: I don’t know how good it can be but I’m excited about the potential we have, I said it weeks ago, it looks really good. It’s not about what we make of it, it’s never what you got it’s what to make of it. Virg is right, you can see the spirit, something is growing. They are good with each other, we were late today not our fault but stood around waiting for whatever and they enjoy spending time together now we have to use that, channel it and bring it. This is a super difficult game, I know that, I have no idea if we are stable enough to do it again and again, we will give it a proper try then we will give it everything we’ve got.

Q: “Will there be minutes for fringe players or Ben Doak?”
JK: Absolutely no information about that. You will have to wait until tomorrow, enjoy or don’t. We are here to compete, not to give opportunities for nobody. Not ours and not for them.

Parallels between 2016 and now?
JK: No. My first year I thought the Europa League was too much for us until the final because we had to play almost every day. We played Kazan, trying to play a team somehow. It was a different squad, we were not ready but we somehow came through. In the quarter and semi-finals we played well but until then I don’t think we were exceptional. It’s a different team, we’re better prepared it doesn’t mean we will be in the final. We enjoy it more than last time because we had no clue what to expect.

Jurgen Klopp has realised there is an interpreter after providing a long answer in German. He’s in fine spirits at least.

JK: I know Austrian football, I knew it since a long time ago but I never was in Linz. It’s not so important to talk about the city, I know we’re favourites but we’re here to play football. We take this game seriously and we want to take the most of it. We are not arrogant, we want to win here. They’re very stable, they use wings well, good free-kicks. It’s not easy and ifiyou let them play they will use the opportunity. I was in this role when we could not use so you have to be prepared.

The structure of play
Jurgen Klopp will start off by answering German questions in his native language.

It appears there is a question involving Gary Lineker who said “who the hell is LASK” when Manchester United faced the Austrians.

VVD: It’s the reflection of the world we live in, it’s from one extreme to the other from the outside world. We have to stay calm and level-headed. There’s so many games, twists and turns can happen, we’ve had a good start but there’s still so much to improve on. We have no influence on what’s written, we shouldn’t worry about it.

On Quansah: “He was outstanding”
VVD: On the weekend, he was outstanding. To play away at Wolves, difficult game, the amount of time he played he was outstanding. For him to stay cool-headed, do the job, very solid and can build on in the game I was proud and pleased for him. He should see it as the start but it’s just the start, he has to keep going, keep working, he’s at a great club and [with] a great team. He will be very important for the club in the future.

Van Dijk on the new-look Liverpool
VVD: Let’s hope so. We’re working hard everyday, that’s from pre-season. New players coming in, some coming through, I see a lot of potential and good things and the results have been there. We take it game by game, that’s how it’s been in our success years. We shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves, every game is tough tomorrow is the same.

It’s an exciting time, a lot of young players, quality players. If you look at the last game, I watched it from the sideline, the first-half was not how we wanted to perform but the reaction was sign of good things that can happen. We keep doing our principles and I enjoyed to see that, it’s a good foundation to build on and we have to keep going. There will be tough moments, we have to be ready to face them, we’re only in September nothing is decided but it’s a good start.

Two players played for RB Salzburg vs Liverpool – now play for LASK
VVD: Funnily enough I don’t. He scored both goals, he’s not here. It was a very tough game. I didn’t know that.

A mix up
A mix up in the press room as Jurgen Klopp has been asked a question.

The boss translates and all service is resumed.

Virgil van Dijk on suspension
VVD: It’s been very frustrating personally but it brought me a lot of other things. I enjoyed the team spirit, the result the way, [the way] we worked as a squad. Everything happens for a reason, I’m back now and looking forward to it. I was lucky with the two international games otherwise it would’ve been longer.

“We want to win it”
VVD: We all wanted before the season ended to be in the Champions League but we didn’t deserve it. We deserved the Europa League, we will give everything we have and we want to win it. It won’t happen overnight we have to work for it.

Why Liverpool’s Europa League press conference was delayed
Liverpool’s press conference this evening has been delayed, after originally being scheduled for 7pm UK time.

There was no lack of wifi or anything of that ilk.

However, the squad was late to arrive at the Raiffeisen Arena.

They’re not the only ones who have had a difficult trip to Austria, by the sounds of it our writers Ian Doyle and Theo Squires have had a bit of trouble getting to the region.

They are, however, safe and well and are in position in Linz.

Interesting Virgil van Dijk decision from Liverpool – a selection hint?
Interesting that captain Van Dijk has been put up to chat to the media.

It would suggest the Reds skipper is very much in the frame to return to the side tomorrow after nearly a month out of action thanks to the international break and the two-game suspension for the sending off at Newcastle.

At least those games for the Netherlands during the break will have kept him sharp. It will be good to get him back into the swing of things tomorrow though with that big game against West Ham to come on Sunday.

Virgil van Dijk will be alongside Jurgen Klopp for the LASK Europa League press conference
As is the case with these European press conferences, players feature alongside the manager.

While it is highly likely Alexis Mac Allister will be speaking to the media for Liverpool’s clash with Union SG – due to his brother, Kevin, playing for the Belgians – we have received confirmation for tonight’s media appearance.

And the man fielding questions is captain, Virgil van Dijk.

The Dutchman returns to club football following his one-match suspension, extended by a further fixture after his £100,000 fine for improper conduct, after his red card vs Newcastle United.

Van Dijk has apologised, paid his dues and will pull on the red shirt once again, albeit the purple third kit.

We will be hearing from both Jurgen Klopp and Van Dijk in the next five minutes.

Trent Alexander Arnold: Liverpool injury latest
Trent Alexander-Arnold was training separately on Wednesday as Liverpool were put through their paces in the open training session.

The likes of Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister and Darwin Nunez were all in action for the Reds as they look to have some involvement against LASK.

Ben Doak, who penned a long-term deal with the club on Wednesday, is looking for his first start for Liverpool at just 17. Although it remains to be seen whether he will have a full debut or make his first-team European bow from the bench.

While there are concerns over the full-back, Alexander-Arnold, there is some good news.

Who are LASK?
LASK, or Linzer Athletik-Sport-Klub, finished third in the Austrian Bundesliga which saw them qualify for the Europa League, last season.

Unlike the Premier League, their campaign started in July 2022 and finishes at the beginning of June.

Their campaign for the 2023-24 season only began at the end of July.

In their opening seven games, they sit five points behind league-leaders Red Bull Salzburg and just three points off nearest challeng