'We want to strike back' - Liverpool looking for revenge on Arsenal, says Klopp

Mikel Arteta has got the better of the German on their last two meetings, leaving a score to settle in Sunday's Premier League clash at Anfield

Posted Sunday, September 27, 2020 by Goal.com

Arsenal are one of the few sides that have managed to get the upper hand over Liverpool over the past 12 months - a situation which Jurgen Klopps wants to end now.

The Gunners inflicted a 2-1 defeat on the newly crowned Premier League champions in July, only their third league defeat of the entire 2019-20 season as Klopp's charges cruised to the club's first title since 1990.

And they once more got the upper hand in the sides' next meeting, drawing 1-1 at Wembley in the Community Shield before prevailing in the resulting penalty shootout.

Arsenal nevertheless have a wretched recent record at Anfield, last winning at the Reds' home all the way back in 2012 and losing six of the subsequent eight meetings.

Klopp recognises that Liverpool have a score to settle after those recent adverse results and called on his players to take revenge.

"We want to strike back," Klopp explained to reporters ahead of Sunday's clash at Anfield.

"Let me say it like this - that is the situation we are in and it can be a better situation depending on how we use it.

"Results give confidence, but analysis is there so you can judge the games in the right way.

"It's not like Arsenal smashed us and we had absolutely no chance, so they know it's a different game and we know it's a different game.

"So the last result, in this case is not too long ago, it's just one information and not the only information."

Liverpool have started their Premier League defence with back-to-back victories while advancing in the Carabao Cup midweek with a 7-2 thrashing of Lincoln City.

Curtis Jones was one of the Reds' stars, netting twice and contributing a further assist, and Klopp was delighted to see the youngster build his confidence in the first team.

"Self-confidence for a football player is really important," Klopp added.

"Usually you play in front of 30, 40, 50, 60 or 70,000 people and without confidence that is not possible. I can tell you.

"Doing the right thing in the right moment helps as well. That is what he had to learn over the last two years because he was maybe the top player of each age group he was in and he had to learn to play together with other players.

"He made massive steps in that department and had brilliant role models in the squad. Now the door is open."