Liverpool are one step away from making it to a third Champion League final in five seasons. They take a 2-0 lead into their semi-final second leg against Villarreal on Tuesday, speculation regarding the future of Mohamed Salah refuses to die down, and yet, manager Jurgen Klopp remains a picture of calm.
Last week Klopp signed a contract extension that will keep him at Anfield until at least 2026. The German and his coaching team were already committed to remaining on Merseyside until 2024 but now have agreed to extend their stay.
With almost everything falling into place, Klopp was understandably in a relaxed mood during training on Monday.
However, Klopp had his game face on while interacting with the media, talking about being "ready to suffer".
"With all these things during the season, obviously with the situation we are in, we must have done something right, that is clear," said Klopp, whose side have lost just three times in all competitions this term.
"But the problem in our job is everything's perfect until the next game starts on the wrong foot and all of a sudden the game gets a different dynamic.
"It is good to know - and it is more a feeling inside, not that we are flying constantly and high-fiving here and there - we are in a good moment.
"But my only concern is what we do [on Tuesday] night and we have to be ready to suffer but not going 1-0 down or whatever - that can happen in football matches - but giving the game the right direction."
Meanwhile, there was another development of interest for Liverpool players. Fifa ordered African champions Senegal to play one match behind closed doors after crowd disorder during last month's 2022 World Cup play-offs.
Fans shone laser pointers at Egypt star Salah as he missed in the penalty shootout, won by Sadio Mane's Senegal, in the second leg in Dakar.
Senegal were fined 175,000 Swiss francs ($180,000) over several incidents, including a pitch invasion, an offensive banner and for failing "to ensure that law and order are maintained in the stadium".
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From left: Villarreal's midfielder Alfonso Pedraza, defender Aissa Mandi, midfielders Daniel Parejo, Samuel Chukwueze and Manuel Trigueros train at the Ciudad Deportiva training ground on the eve of their Champions League semi-final second leg against Liverpool. AFP -
Villarreal's midfielder Vicente Iborra, centre, and teammates attend a training session at the Ciudad Deportiva training ground. AFP -
Villarreal players train for their Champions League semi-final second leg against Liverpool. AFP -
Villarreal's Raul Albiol during training. Reuters -
Villareal's players attend a training session at the Ciudad Deportiva training ground. AFP -
Villarreal manager Unai Emery oversees training. Reuters -
Lo Celso, left, and Etienne Capoue attend a training session on Monday. AFP -
Villarreal's Samuel Chukwueze during training. Reuters -
Villarreal's Geronimo Rulli during training. Reuters
