Friday 6 May 2016 12:57, UK
Jurgen Klopp has urged Liverpool supporters to travel to Basel for the Europa League final against Sevilla, despite the club warning fans not to travel without tickets for the game.
The Reds secured their place in Switzerland with an impressive 3-0 victory over Villarreal in Thursday's semi-final second leg at Anfield, meaning they will face Sevilla at St Jakob-Park on Wednesday, May 18.
The stadium, which is home to Swiss club FC Basel, has a capacity of just 35,000 - the second lowest for a final since it became a one-off game in 1998.
UEFA has been criticised for the choice of venue, with Liverpool supporters expected to receive an allocation of just 9,000 tickets for the game.
"To ensure the safety and wellbeing of fans, the club urges supporters who do not have a ticket not to travel to the St Jakob-Park Stadium on the day of the game," read a statement released on Liverpool's website.
However, Klopp appeared to disagree with the statement and urged supporters to travel to the game with or without tickets.
"Basel is a wonderful stadium and wonderful city," he said. "It's worth going there even if you don't have a ticket. We're not worrying about and thinking about the size of the stadium.
"If we say who wants to go we'll find 30 million who want to go. We have no chance of getting them all in the stadium."
Klopp has guided Liverpool to two cup finals just eight months after replacing Brendan Rodgers at Anfield, but the former Borussia Dortmund manager says he is not surprised at the club's rapid turnaround in fortunes.
"I'm not surprised about our rate of progress because I've never thought about it," he said. "I've never thought about where we'd be at this stage in the season.
"It's all about change, development, training, improving. I'm really pleased for the boys. It's important to know your work helps and that it's true. These boys have seen it is true. That attitude helps.
"Each good game is deserved, and each not so good game is important for development."
With the Europa League final in mind, Klopp is expected to rest a number of key players for Sunday's Premier League match at home to Watford. The Hornets defeated the Reds 3-0 when the two sides met at Vicarage Road earlier in the season.
And Klopp is expecting another tough test against Quique Sanchez Flores' side, who are still in contention for a top-half finish in the Premier League.
"We'll need the help of the crowd because I'm not sure how many more games we've had than Watford," Klopp said.
"We'll have a few changes and will try to do everything we can to win. We respect this league and want to have the best position we can get by the end of the season. Everyone could see it was intense on Thursday."
Klopp says he is unsure if club captain Jordan Henderson will be available for Sunday's game, although the England midfielder remains in contention to face Tony Pulis' side.
"I don't know about Henderson. He was celebrating last night, and I saw in his eyes he thinks he has a chance," said Klopp.
"That's the first and most important step. Same with Divock Origi. But we will see. I have no idea yet."
