BVB Dortmund v Liverpool - Preview

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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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Aviva Welcome for Poland

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Republic of Ireland host Group D leaders Poland in Dublin looking to keep in touch with second place after picking up seven points from their first four games.

Germany, Scotland and Martin O'Neill's Republic of Ireland all sit on the same number of points, three behind Poland, with six games remaining.

They were beaten in Scotland in November after picking up two wins and a fine draw in Germany, while Poland have won three and drawn one, including an impressive win over the world champions.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Darron Gibson has returned to Everton with a groin problem, but full-back Stephen Ward and winger James McClean, who had ankle knocks, were both able to train on Friday. Hull winger Robbie Brady and Stoke's Marc Wilson are on standby to fill in at left-back if Ward is not fit.

Derby's Jeff Hendrick (hip) will miss the game and O'Neill is likely to partner James McCarthy and Glenn Whelan in central midfield

O'Neill has given away little about his selection and will not name his team until Sunday, but the final open training session suggested he may employ a three-man defence and wing-backs against the Poles.

Poland's injury list includes Lukasz Piszczek, Kamil Grosicki, Artur Jedrzejczyk and Michal Zyro, while Borussia Dortmund star Jakub Blaszczykowski has been left out of the squad amid newspaper reports of a spat with star striker Robert Lewandowski. However, coach Adam Nawałka insists he is concerned over the player's fitness after a year out with knee ligament damage.

With Wojciech Szczesny not featuring for his club Arsenal, Nawalka has announced that Swansea's Lukasz Fabianski will start in goal for his side with Artur Boruc on the bench.

Ireland's record in 25 games against Poland is W6 D9 L10. It was 0-0 when they last met, in a friendly in Poznan on 19 November 2013.

They have only met twice in competitive fixtures, and both matches ended in a draw – 0-0 in Dublin and 3-3 in Poznan in EURO '92 qualifying.

Ireland have won three of their last four competitive games at the Dublin Arena.

Poland have won both of their away games in Group D, scoring 11 goals and conceding none.

Poland come into this match having played exactly 100 UEFA European Championship games, with the record W41 D28 L31.

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