Pochettino on Klopp’s Rejection of ‘Big Favorite’ Label: Insightful Response
In the lead up to the highly anticipated final between Liverpool and Chelsea, Jurgen Klopp made headlines when he rejected the idea of his team being labeled as “big favorites.” This statement caught the attention of Mauricio Pochettino, who sensed some mind games from the Liverpool manager.
Klopp’s remark came after Liverpool’s win over Luton in midweek. When asked if his team would be considered the favorites for the final, Klopp responded, “Definitely not.” He also acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his team’s availability for the match at Wembley and praised Chelsea’s improvement.
However, Klopp’s comments were taken out of context, with some twisting his words to suggest that Chelsea were the favorites. Pochettino, addressing this issue in his pre-match press conference, believed that Klopp’s response was a clever move. He recognized Klopp as one of the best coaches in the world and understood that circumstances can play a significant role in finals.
Pochettino stated, “If he said that, this means Liverpool are favorites because they have the experience to compete and be involved in different finals.” He acknowledged that his players are relatively new to this level of competition and that some of them might be experiencing their first final. Pochettino saw this as an advantage for Liverpool and praised Klopp’s cleverness in labeling the matchup as 50-50.
When asked directly if Liverpool were the favorites, Pochettino responded, “For sure. He knows that it is like this.” On paper, it is hard to argue against Liverpool being considered the favorites. However, their chances could be hindered by the availability of key players such as Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Dominik Szoboszlai. The trio has less than two days to prove their fitness, and Liverpool is unlikely to take any unnecessary risks with their injuries.
Pochettino’s assessment of Klopp’s response as “clever” is spot on. Klopp has shown time and again his ability to get the best out of his team and create an atmosphere where they can thrive. This final is no different, and Pochettino recognizes the challenges his side will face.
As the stage is set for an exciting clash at Wembley, both managers have set the tone with their mind games. Pochettino’s insightful response to Klopp’s rejection of the “big favorite” label only adds to the anticipation surrounding this final. It remains to be seen who will come out on top, but one thing is for sure – we are in for a thrilling encounter at Wembley.