Jurgen Klopp shares Liverpool motivation secrets after Virgil van Dijk bombshell

Ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has explained how he would go about motivating players after Virgil van Dijk's admission following the Reds' FA Cup quarterfinal defeat to Manchester City

Jurgen Klopp recently sat down with former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch on his podcast, 'That Peter Crouch Podcast'(Image: YouTube/That Peter Crouch Podcast)

Jurgen Klopp has explained what goes into motivating players following Virgil van Dijk's admission that Liverpool let its performance levels drop in an embarrassing FA Cup quarterfinal defeat to Manchester City.

While the Reds return to action this week in Europe, with Arne Slot's side set to face off against the defending Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain, they head into the game on the back of a humiliating 4-0 FA Cup exit at the hands of Man City. Liverpool could not get close to Pep Guardiola's side, who ran them ragged at the Etihad.

Following the game, skipper Van Dijk apologized to Reds supporters for his and his teammates' performances, while also making some alarming remarks about Liverpool's current mindset, given their disappointing campaign following the highs of last term.

"We have a responsibility not only to ourselves but especially to the fans," said Van Dijk.

"And if we want to make something out of this season, we have to try and do something special in the next three games. Today in the second half, the intensity, where we didn't match the challenges, it was tough. And to lose then 4-0 is tough.

"We already spoke in the dressing room and it is on us. The fans were there to support us and I can only apologize to the fans with what we have shown — especially in the second half, by the way. It is difficult. Mentally, it has been a very tough overall season."

Liverpool had only been down 1-0 heading into halftime, only for Van Dijk and co to concede in added-on time at the end of the opening 45 minutes. They also conceded on 50 minutes to Antoine Semenyo before Erling Haaland sealed his hat-trick to make it 4-0.

Virgil van Dijk admitted Liverpool's players 'gave up' against Manchester City(Image: Getty Images)

The Reds captain continued, "You come out of the dressing room [at half-time] to hopefully score the 2-1 as soon as possible to change the game, but obviously the opposite happens.

"Then to come back from 3-0 is very difficult. But also, you shouldn't give up. That is maybe at a certain point what happened."

Following Van Dijk's comments about he and his teammates giving up against Man City, Klopp sat down with former Liverpool forward Peter Crouch, with the German explaining how he motivated players who weren't playing by treating them "completely normal', adding that he believes it is his job to "help them find a little light at the end of the tunnel".

Jurgen Klopp recently appeared on 'That Peter Crouch Podcast' alongside former Reds forward Peter Crouch(Image: YouTube/That Peter Crouch Podcast)

"Treating them completely normal. Don’t forget them!" Klopp said on 'That Peter Crouch Podcast'.

"A week with three games, it was fast. You wake up on Monday and whoop it’s Friday and you had a game on Wednesday and you can’t remember it. In this week you need to take the time to give them all the attention. You know the players who didn’t start the day before and then you have this training session the next day.

"How is the mood there and who is responsible for the mood? I can’t stand on the sideline and look oh they’re not in the best shape. Maybe they are angry because of yesterday or I give them reasons why they can be in a good mood. It is my job to help them find a little light at the end of the tunnel that it’s not forever."