As Chelsea prepare to face current Premier League leaders Liverpool on Thursday, February 1, manager Mauricio Pochettino has stressed that his side will focus on winning the game and will not be thinking at all about Reds’ boss Jurgen Klopp’s departure.

The football world was left shocked by the sudden announcement of Jurgen Klopp leaving his role at Liverpool at the end of the season.

The German tactician, who has won all major honours during his 8-year tenure with the Merseyside club, said that he was running out of energy and felt it was the right for him to step aside from the job at the helm.

One of the most successful managers in the Premier League, Klopp will be fighting on all fronts with his team – Premier League, Carabao Cup, FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League, before he closes his Merseyside chapter.

However, Chelsea boss Pochettino, while acknowledging the brilliant work of Klopp with Liverpool, wants no part in the German’s farewell atmosphere at Anfield, when his side faces the Reds on Thursday.

“Every time they play at Anfield, it’s going to be a party always, to celebrate, and to give him all the love the fans feel for him, and I think it’s deservedâ€æ But we need to go there and win the game. Sorry, but we don’t want to be involved or be part of the celebration. We want to perform well and win the game.” Mauricio Pochettino said during the press-conference, as quoted by Reuters.

On being asked for his take on Klopp’s reason for departure being him running out of energy, the Argentine explained that he always considered that football makes people spend energy “in the right way” and never makes it unnecessary to do so.

“Football never stresses you. It never makes you spend energy in the wrong way, it’s always in the right way. It always affects the environment.” Pochettino added

During the press-conference ahead of the Liverpool clash, Pochettino said that his team already expects a sentimental atmosphere at Anfield on Thursday, but that will not shift their focus from going all out for the three points against the Reds’.

The Argentine manager has emphasised that Chelsea’s sole focus will be on extending their winning streak against Klopp’s side and make it their fourth consecutive Premier League victory, something that has taken the side quite some time, as league fixtures resume after the FA Cup hiatus.

“Of course. It’s a special game for him. Until the end, it’s going to be special always,” Pochettino added.

Pochettino also shared vital team news during the press conference, with French midfielder Christopher Nkunku and right-back Malo Gusto being declared fit to take part against Liverpool. With two major players back in the squad, Chelsea’s will look to get hold of what has been a forgetful season so far, with the team currently sitting 9th on the Premier League table.

On the other hand, much of the same is expected from Liverpool players’ like captain Virgil van Dijk, who has previously talked about the team’s aim to make Klopp’s last season at Liverpool a memorable one.