Huddersfield Preview vs Liverpool : Don’t believe the ‘smoke screens’ from Klopp: Wagner

Ahead of the visit of Liverpool on Saturday afternoon, Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner doesn’t believe the ‘smoke screens’ by his former Borussia Dortmund colleague, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

“Don’t believe the smoke screens” Wagner said in Thursday’s press conference.

“I’ve known Jurgen long enough to know that he likes to use smoke screens. I don’t believe what I am reading most of the time. I expect them all to be on the grass on Saturday.

When asked about his friendship with Klopp, the German said:

“I looked for this fixture when they came out because it is an exciting game for me and him to battle it out. We speak once a week now that we’re both in England. It wasn’t so much before but now it is more than before.

“He actually texted me congratulations after the draw with Chelsea last season. Not only because it was a good result for us staying up but a good result for him and their hopes of getting into the Champions League spots.”

Wagner gave updates on his side’s injuries.

“Tommy Smith has a groin problem so he’s out. Terence Kongolo has an issue with his hamstring so we’ll have to give him a week or two and see how he progresses. It’s too early for Danny Williams.

“Isaac Mbenza has some fluid in his leg. He might play in a under 23 game but we’ll have to assess him first before we make any decisions.

He also gave his thoughts on the international break.

“I accept it. I’m not a fan of having so many breaks in between games but I accept it.

“If I could change it, I would.”

Denmark manager Age Hareide recently talked about one of his players, Mathias Jorgensen, saying:

“I definitely think he can take a step up to a bigger Premier League side. He’s fast, strong and now much calmer on the ball.”

Wagner spoke about this, saying:

“I was disappointed about the comments made. I don’t think he was in line to talk about how Huddersfield is run.

“He apologised to me over the phone so we’re all good now.”

Town drew 1-1 away to Burnley in their last game.

“We played a very good away game. We created a lot of opportunities and I’m hoping we can perform on that same level.

 

“It is also good to speak about things that aren’t working but we did a lot of positive things in that game.”

When asked about how they can play better this season against Liverpool, as they lost 6-0 across both games last season.

“Don’t concede and score.”

Wagner signed off by saying:

“Sometimes football writes beautiful stories. You never know.”

 

Later in the press conference, Huddersfield Town defender Christopher Schindler didn’t blame Chris Woods for their bloody incident that left the defender requiring medical attention at Turf Moor.

“I don’t think the injury was deliberate”

“It is unfortunate what happened but I don’t blame Chris because we were both in a competitive game.

“This is Football and sometimes this happens.”

He also talked about the game itself, stating:

“That day was a good performance for us, our best in the Premier League this season.”

“If you look at the game then you’d probably think that we should win that but we can only take the positives.”

 

He also discussed Liverpool’s injury woes:

“They have a strong squad so they’ll be able to cope with whatever injuries they have.”

Talking about the front three of Salah, Frimino and Mane, Schindler said:

“Their chemistry is fantastic. As an attacking force, there’s no better trio in the Premier League.”

 

The importance of the game is massive for Town, as they haven’t won a game yet in the league.

“I wouldn’t say that it’s a free hit as we’re looking to go out and do out best. We just have to treat it like another game to get our first win.”

The German made a point to talk about the fans.

“They are so important to us. Even in the last game, when we were away at Burnley, the stand was packed out and they were cheering us on.

“This was extremely important to us as we faced tough opposition away from home and this atmosphere helped us push on.”

“I think that they relate with the club because it’s a working class town with working class people who have supported them for years, travelling all over the country and across the divisions.

He added:

“I hope the fans really get into the game this weekend as we’re hoping to put a performance for them and the manager.”

Probable Huddersfield Starting XI: Jonas Lossl, Mathias Jorgensen, Christopher Schindler, Terence Kongolo, Erik Drum, Aaron Mooy, Jonathan Hogg, Phillip Billing, Chris Lowe, Alex Pritchard and Laurent Depoitre.

Probable Liverpool Starting XI: Alisson, Joe Gomez, Dejan Lovern, Virgil Van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Georginio Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Frimino and Daniel Sturridge.

 

Prediction: Huddersfield 0 – 3 Liverpool.