Great article in The Athletic by James Pearce - talking with Klopp about building mentality. There's a bit where he describes how his focus has to be nearly constant,and thus it keeps him from fully enjoying a big win like the one against City recently. Thought it was an interesting glimpse into his mindset.
But what about being able to savour a victory? It was telling that when Klopp faced the media straight after Liverpool’s win over title rivals Manchester City he was bemoaning the lack of preparation time he would have for this weekend’s trip to Crystal Palace. Even after such a statement triumph, he was immediately looking to the next hurdle that needed to be cleared rather than living in the moment.
“Yes because I hate the internationals! From a personal point of view, I just hate it,” he says.
“Sadio Mane played in Swaziland (for Senegal). You know nothing about games like this. He went off straight after half-time and you are thinking ‘oh’. These are the situations that kill me, to be honest.
“It’s just not knowing about what is exactly happening, trying to find out what we can do, what we have to do. As soon as Sadio got a phone we could get in contact but he’s the player, he’s not the guy who organises everything else around it. Dealing with things like this is not cool.
“That’s why the last game before an international break is always difficult for me. The final whistle goes and then I’m thinking ‘now they leave’. That’s the biggest problem in my working life.
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