Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits it's impossible to stop PSG superstar Neymar

Posted Tuesday, September 18, 2018 by Dailystar.co.uk

JURGEN KLOPP admits it will be virtually impossible trying to stop Neymar at Anfield on Tuesday.

But he insists Liverpool will not resort to kicking him off the park in his the Champions League showdown against PSG.

Kop boss Klopp said: "Neymar was rested at the weekend so he will be 100 per cent fresh for us, not injured any more like he was at the World Cup, so we will see the full Neymar football package.

"We will have to cope with that and that is what we will try to do.

"But we want to play football and we want to win the ball.

"We don't try to 'act' in these kind of things, we try to avoid passes to him and try to avoid him winning challenges which is a big job.

"But I'm not sure if it is 100 per cent possible to avoid his qualities – I'm pretty sure it is not, he is a fantastic footballer and an outstanding player."

Neymar was the second most fouled player behind Eden Hazard at the World Cup in Russia in the summer despite accusations he made the most of any physical contact.

Klopp refused to rise to the bait when asked whether he was guilty, dismissing the accusations ahead of the Champions League group opener.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits it's impossible to stop PSG superstar Neymar
Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp admits it will be virtually impossible stopping Neymar

"I saw a few games at the World Cup I know people were talking about that when it looked like he made more of a situation than it was," he added.

"For me that is a completely normal reaction because players were really going for him and he wants to protect himself.

"I don't think he is a person who wants to act, because if you are like that you cannot play the football he plays."

Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson conceded Neymar will be a handful but said PSG are far from a one man team with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Angel di Maria and Edinson Cavani lining up alongside him.

"It's not just him we have to stop, we have to stop the whole team and it'll be difficult – he is just one of many top players in their team," said Henderson.

"But we're a good team as well and we can cause them problems.

"We've proved against big teams before we can perform and get the result we need."

Liverpool are hopeful Roberto Firmino will be fit after suffering an injury to his left eye in Saturday's win against Spurs.

Klopp said: "It is good news (but) it will be close. It is painful and no-one needs that but he will be fine but we don't know exactly when.

"There are 30 hours before the game so we will see."