Thursday 7 April 2016

BVB Dortmund v Liverpool - Preview

Klopp
Juergen Klopp - Getty Images
Jurgen Klopp said the attention he is receiving on his return to former club Borussia Dortmund is better than being in North Korea.

The Reds play at the Westfalenstadion on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

"A lot has been said but it is easy for me as I just have friends here," said Klopp, Dortmund coach for seven years.

"It's better to be here than North Korea or something. I don't think about my situation, not for one second."

It is reported 20 television crews, twice as many photographers and about 100 journalists were present to listen to Klopp, who won two Bundesliga titles at Dortmund.

Klopp said his former club - second in the Bundesliga, five points behind leaders Bayern Munich - were favourites and admitted Liverpool had the "highest mountain to climb" over the two legs.

"We have looked at the way Dortmund play but my players haven't travelled here without any hope we will get a result," added the German.

"If we are not good it will be easy for Dortmund but why should I think about this?"

Liverpool are yet to lose in the Europa League this season, and knocked out Manchester United in the last round.

"Manchester United was the biggest game and biggest pressure so we are prepared for this," said Klopp. "And you need a bit of luck."

Dortmund counterpart Thomas Tuchel warned his players Klopp would show no mercy.

"From the moment the whistle goes Jurgen Klopp will want nothing else than a win. And we too," said the 42-year-old.

But he added "no-one has forgotten" what Klopp achieved at Dortmund.

"Anything else but a warm welcome for Jurgen Klopp will be a surprise," said Tuchel. "We are now where we are because of our history with Jurgen."

Dortmund trio Mats Hummels, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Ilkay Gundogan took part in training on Tuesday after missing the 3-2 Bundesliga win over Werder Bremen at the weekend.

Forward Roberto Firmino, who has missed Liverpool's past two matches because of a hamstring injury, has travelled with the squad to Germany.



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