JURGEN KLOPP IS expecting to be inundated with messages after Liverpool drew his former side Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
The 48-year-old, who still has three season tickets at Signal Iduna Park after spending seven years as the club’s manager, is looking forward to introducing the Reds to “a wonderful stadium and a great city.”
The first leg will be held in Germany on April 7, with Anfield hosting the Bundesliga outfit on April 14. And while Klopp initially stated he didn’t want to face BVB in the tournament, he is now relishing the contest against the favourites for the trophy.
“I am really happy with the draw. Yesterday I said why should I wish [to get] the strongest team in the tournament, but obviously if you want to win the Europa League, and when you are in the quarter-final, then you have to beat the strongest teams,” he explained.
“It is better to play against them in two games than in only one game. I am really happy to introduce my new team to Dortmund. I am really happy to show the boys this wonderful stadium and a great city.
“It’s a story only football can write. We’re all happy. During the draw we had our video analysis meeting for Southampton and after that we were immediately training, so maybe my cell phone is full of messages – I need to have a look on there!
“Two of the biggest clubs in the world meet each other in the Europa League, so everybody who thought a few months ago maybe it’s not that interesting of a tournament, hopefully they’ve switched their minds in the last few weeks.
“The games against Manchester United were two great, great games and now against Dortmund.
“Going to Dortmund and playing in Dortmund is one of the best things you can do in football. And then, they are all 100 per cent looking forward to coming to Anfield. It’s football at its best and how it should be. Everybody is looking forward to it. Then, two really intensive games and it’s good.”
Klopp admits he will not enjoy the focus on him ahead of such an encounter, but still feels it will be special to step back on the Westfalenstadion turf.
“There are two things to say about this. One the one side, for me I was 18 years at Mainz and then in my break, after seven years at Dortmund, I went for the first time to Mainz’s stadium not as a coach, just to go there. It was never easy to go back and meet some friends or things like this because there was always another manager and I thought ‘I don’t want to disturb’ and things like this.
“I have a similar problem in Dortmund, to be honest. I still have three season tickets, but my son uses them and is very often in the stadium – when he’s not in Liverpool, of course.
“So, I am looking forward to going there. I loved this place, a few of the best things in my life happened there, so of course I am looking forward to it.
“But on the other side, I hate the hype around my person in these matches. I know about the business and all the circumstances, that’s clear, but I don’t like it to be honest. I will do what I have to do and then we will see. The game and the players, completely focused – or as much focus as possible – on all these guys.
“During the game, all the focus on these guys and then if somebody wants to talk to me after the game, I am available then.”
