Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp joked ahead of the UEFA Europa League clash with Borussia Dortmund that he would rather return to the club that he left for Liverpool than be in North Korea.
Advertisement
Prior to joining the Reds last October, Klopp spent seven years with Dortmund, guiding them to two Bundesliga titles, one DFB-Pokal trophy and two DFL-Supercups.
As Klopp looks to pick apart the weaknesses in his former side, he could be looking to employ Origi’s defence-stretching attacking play, with the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana pressing high in support. I had no bad moment in my relationship with Dortmund, not one second, and no one has to show me they know about our positive past because I know about it. I know all about our relationship.
But Klopp insists he is not here to bask in the adoration still bestowed on him by fans – the district in which he lived have had a collection to buy him a gift on his return – and the city as a whole.
They have an arguably better side, which I’m not denying, and they should rightfully be considered favourites, but there’s no ruling Liverpool out of this one.
“That’s the first time I have heard about it”, he said.
I’m very happy with the victory, but they [Everton] also could have scored two goals, I think.
He has blossomed at the German club following his move from St Etienne in 2013, first under Klopp and then the Liverpool manager’s successor Thomas Tuchel.
If he can take the pressure off our players then all the better, although they’ll be playing in a more intense atmosphere than anything they would have experienced this season.
“If it’s in the first minute I don’t know, I won’t go running down the line”.
Roberto Firmino is part of a 20-man Liverpool squad that has flown out to Germany this afternoon ahead of tomorrow night’s Europa League quarter final with Borussia Dortmund. “Anything else but a warm welcome for Jurgen Klopp will be a surprise”, Tuchel said.
Advertisement
Dortmund swept aside Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the last 16 phase and Tuchel admits he has had scouts watching the Merseyside club since the draw was made.
