Klopp issues a warning to Dortmund – tells old club not to expect a “picnic”

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Jurgen Klopp has warned his former club Borussia Dortmund not to expect a picnic when the two sides meet in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Our boss acknowledged that Dortmund were the “runaway favourites” for the cup, but remains confident that if we perform to our best we can progress.

“We are all aware how incredibly difficult this draw is for us,” said Klopp. “They are the runaway favourites in this competition. But we’d also like to stay in it for a bit longer.” (via Echo)

“We need to be courageous. The way Dortmund play commands enormous respect. To say now we have a 100% plan to beat Dortmund would be a bit ridiculous. But on a good day and when we put our plan into action we have a chance. It’s no picnic to play against us. We’ve shown that several times before.”

He also claimed that he wouldn’t be phased by his new love playing his old love.

“It’s not going to be an inner battle between my old and my new love,” he said.

“It won’t be a problem for me. Before I joined BVB, I had a good relationship with FSV Mainz 05. I built a very intense relationship with Borussia Dortmund.

“Now I’m here in Liverpool already for half a year and there’s also been a very warm welcome and fantastic people to know. Football is fortunately a bit different than in real life – you can have multiple loves.”

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The first leg of the tie takes place a week on Thursday (7th April) as we travel to Germany. The second leg is at Anfield on 14th April. We’ve actually got a good record against the Ruhr-based club. We faced them twice in the Champions League in 2001 and drew 0-0 away before winning 2-0 at Anfield, and we beat them 4-0 at home in a friendly during the summer of 2014.

The two legs come after Premier League games against Spurs (home) and Stoke (home) respectively. It remains to be seen what side we field in those two domestic games. With Coutinho already reportedly facing a late test for the Spurs game (via Express), Klopp might be tempted to sacrifice our already-slim top four hopes in favour of European glory.

What do you think? Can we progress? Who are the favourites? What team would you play? Let us know in the comments…

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