Klopp: Reds must be on alert against fired-up European rivals

Jurgen Klopp insists top dogs Liverpool would be barking mad to underestimate their Europa League rivals.

The Reds are used to sitting at Europe's top table but will be playing in an unfamiliar Thursday night clash against LASK tomorrow.

And Klopp believes the Austrian minnows will be desperate to earn a result against their illustrious opponents at the Raiffeisen Arena.

He told the club's official website: "First and foremost, I think we all have to make sure that everybody, for the team I'm responsible, [but] that we all respect the competition in the right manner [and] that we respect the opponents [in] the right manner.

"Wherever we will go, that will be a massive game for the teams. Everybody [who] comes to Anfield, it will be a massive game for them. It's also in the Champions League the same.

"But it will be here as well, and we have to be 100% ready for that. That's the most important stuff. 

"We want to go as far as somehow possible. I would love to go to the final, obviously, but I have no clue if you can reach that because there will be a lot of fantastic football teams between us and that target."

Klopp was among the names touted to replace Hansi Flick as Germany manager.

But the Anfield chief, who is under contract until 2026, insists he remains committed to his Reds rebuild.

He told RTL: "We're building Liverpool 2.0 here. We want to attack again and not just look at how much longer can we go on. I have a loyalty to Liverpool.

"My heart is here in Liverpool. You can't just cut out the eight years. I signed a contract here.

"And, as far as I can remember, I wasn't drugged or tied up and had to sign with my mouth. That was a free decision.

"I think Julian [Nagelsmann] is a great solution because he is a great coach. I would be very happy about it — if it happens that way."