The former Dortmund manager has nothing to prove at his old club
We’re less than 8 hours away from kickoff of one of the most eagerly anticipated European ties of the season. There’s a number of different narratives playing out outside of the match itself, with the respect and friendship between both clubs and fans being chief amongst them.
But none can rival Jurgen Klopp’s return to Dortmund, where he has been greeted like a returning messiah, with hundreds of press, cameras and one German station even planning a ‘Kloppcam’ during the game.
Thankfully, that idea has been scrapped. No doubt much to the delight of the manager himself, who is keen to play down his return and concentrate on the game.
Going back to the club he made whole again, where he also made his own name, was always going to be a huge occasion for both Jurgen and the fans of both sides. You only had to observe his treatment when simply returning to his homeland for the tie against Augsburg to see how highly he is regarded back home.
But while the Liverpool manager is no doubt happy to take the pressure off his players, he doesn’t feel he has anything to prove to his old club. Speaking ahead of the match, Klopp said (via the Liverpool Echo): “I have nothing to prove to Dortmund.
“That is absolutely not my intention. I am fine with the draw, with the game, with everything – but I am not too happy with the stories around me personally. I don’t need it but I can’t avoid it.
“We are ready and as good as we can be at this moment. Since Sunday I’ve seen five games of Dortmund. Each 90 minutes. And obviously they are full of confidence and playing really good, but as always in football it is up to the opponent how good you really are.
“We hope and we think we can be a real challenge – not the favourite, that’s not important – but they have a team that has been together for two years which only had a bad experience at the first half of last season which made them stronger, it’s obvious.
“”They have a good manager but I don’t think I should go there thinking I have to win 5-0 so everyone can say: ‘Oh look what he can do.’ I’m really fine with the situation. Let’s go there, play well, see what we can do, fly home, and then invite them to Anfield.”
The away side has been boosted by the potential of a return to the side of Roberto Firmino, a player who can certainly make all the difference when it comes to grabbing vital away goals.
But fans should have no doubt that Klopp has a plan, and provided the the semi-finals are still within reach by the time Dortmund come to Anfield next week, there will be little to complain about.
