Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool boss calls for focus ahead of pivotal Premier League schedule after setting up Champions League clash with Barcelona

Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool boss calls for focus ahead of pivotal Premier League schedule after setting up Champions League clash with Barcelona
Jurgen Klopp wants his Liverpool players to ensure their Champions League semi-final clash against Barcelona does not become a distraction with crucial Premier League games on the horizon.Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firminho and Virgil van Dijk were all on the scoresheet as the Reds romped to a 4-1 win in Porto on Wednesday night to secure a last-four meeting with the Catalan giants.2

Jurgen Klopp has called on his side not to be complacent as they enter a crucial Premier League schedule

The mouth-watering clash is in danger of making Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures against Cardiff and Huddersfield look a little mundane by comparison.But with the Premier League title race against Manchester City as tight as ever, Klopp knows they must stay focused.Asked how his side might stop Lionel Messi and all, the German smiled.“Thank God I don’t have to think about that tonight and I have a few more nights to think about it,” he said.“Everybody tries to do it and nobody can do it. We are looking forward to it but we have so many jobs to do before we play Barcelona.2

Klopp smiled when asked how he will go about stopping Barcelona star Lionel Messi

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...

• Napoli vs Arsenal (Thursday, 8pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Sheffield United vs Nottingham Forest (Friday, 12:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Leeds vs Wigan (Friday, 3pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Sunderland vs Doncaster (Friday, 5:15pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Norwich vs Sheffield Wednesday (Friday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Newcastle vs Southampton (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT
• Accrington Stanley vs Luton (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Everton vs Manchester United (Sunday, 1:30pm) – talkSPORT
• Cardiff vs Liverpool (Sunday, 4pm) – talkSPORT

“First let’s play these games and then we will play Barcelona and we will see.“We play on Sunday against Cardiff that’s in my mind, not how we play against Barcelona. We have enough time for that.”Klopp promised to wake up on Thursday with Sunday’s game at Cardiff at the forefront of his mind.“We have three days now to recover,” he said. “We must be ready for another intense football game.“Cardiff are now back in the race with the result (at Brighton) so I don’t think it will be any less intense than tonight. So that’s the next job.” Klopp’s side came through the game at the Estadio do Dragao without any fresh injury troubles, while there was the welcome sight of Joe Gomez making his first appearance since December following a leg fracture.Divock Origi made his first European start in three years in attack with Roberto Firminho rested, though the Brazilian was called on to replace Origi at half-time and soon made his mark.“We defended as a unit in the first line not too good, we had to change it at half-time,” Klopp said.“But it was nothing about Divock. In training he is in unbelievable shape. How the game developed was perhaps not the most thankful game for a striker. That’s all.”

---

Women's World Cup 2019: The stars to watch in France including Alex Morgan and Marta talkSPORT will have live coverage of the tournament, which kicks off on Friday between hosts France and South
Women's World Cup 2019: The stars to watch in France

---

Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic and the Europa League Team of the Tournament as selected by talkSPORT The Europa League hasn't failed to excite this season. For the first time since the UEFA Cup became the Europa League in the 2009/10 season, the final will be contested by two clubs from England,.. talkSPORT - Published 1 week ago
Luka Simunovic News, Stats, Photos - FC Astana - Football

---

Schalke announce Jonjoe Kenny signing from Everton with

---

Sheffield United vs Nottingham Forest live on talkSPORT 2: Full commentary, free stream and confirmed team news for Championship clash All you need to know to tune into the action from Bramall
Aston Villa vs Sheffield United LIVE on talkSPORT 2: Full

---

Maurizio Sarri will not be the Chelsea manager going into next season, former Arsenal winger Perry Groves has claimed. The Italian has come under increased pressure as the Blues have now slipped down to fifth in the table after suffering a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Bournemouth during the week.
Ex Premier League star reveals when Maurizio Sarri will be

---

Real Madrid fans vote for who they most want to sign this summer with Eden Hazard their No 1 choice while Paul Pogba is LEAST preferred option. Eden Hazard is a popular transfer target among
Chelsea News: Chelsea news: Eden Hazard and Paul Pogba

---

Manchester City v Tottenham: 'It's meant to be' for Spurs to reach Champions League semi-finals, says club legend Graham Roberts UEFA Cup-winning hero firmly believes Spurs will upset Pep
~ Manchester City v Tottenham: 'It's meant to be' for Spurs

---

Format. The Nations League Finals take place in June 2019 and are contested by the four group winners of League A.The four teams were each drawn into a five-team group (rather than a six-team group) for the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying group stage, thereby leaving the June 2019 window available for the Nations League Finals.

---

Troy Deeney has no regrets about his controversial celebration during Watford's 2-0 victory at West Ham on Saturday. The Hornets skipper put his side in front when he slammed home a first-half penalty before charging towards the corner of the pitch.
Watford striker Troy Deeney escapes FA punishment | Daily

---

Race had nothing to do with Brighton sacking Chris Hughton

---

Barcelona star Philippe Coutinho says he and Luis Suarez will only be inspired to play better if the Manchester United crowd aim jeers at the former Liverpool duo in Wednesday's Champions League
Marcus Rashford starts Champions League clash, ex-Liverpool

---

Juventus 3-0 Atletico Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo ecstatic

---

Jan 11, 2019 · Maurizio Sarri hits out at Bayern Munich over pursuit of Callum Hudson-Odoi This article is more than 4 months old • Chelsea manager says Bayern lack respect and professionalism
Are Chelsea set to offer Callum Hudson-Odoi a new contract

---

Liverpool legend Ian Rush has warned the Reds they are set for a season-defining six weeks as they aim to keep their trophy hopes alive. Manager Jurgen Klopp's aim of continuing to fight on two
Now for the title says Liverpool great Ian Rush after sixth

---