In case you missed it, we’ve been draw against Jurgen Klopp’s old side Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
Although Klopp joked about the possibility yesterday, it’s the draw that neutral fans around the world wanted to see.
Klopp himself appears to be delighted:
“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 said (via Echo).
“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.”
A few fans on social media have said they would have preferred the game to be the final – but that would have denied Klopp a return to the Westfalenstadion and his adoring fans, and would have meant that Dortmund (and specifically Marco Reus!!) wouldn’t have got to witness Anfield at its magical best – under the floodlights for a European night.
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“It’s a story only football can write. We’re all happy,” continued Klopp.
“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% 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.”