German will take his new side Liverpool to old-side Dortmund in Europa League
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed he is ‘happy’ about drawing former-club Borussia Dortmund in the Quarter-Finals of the Europa League.
After seeing off rivals Manchester United in the last-16, Liverpool entered the hat for the Quarter-Finals, and they were the last team to be drawn out after being paired with Borussia Dortmund, who had thumped Tottenham Hotspur in the previous round.
Klopp left Dortmund at the end of last season and took over at Anfield following Brendan Rodgers‘ dismissal, and he will now return to his former-employers with a Semi-Final place up for grabs.
The German manager spent seven years with Dortmund before deciding to leave the club, and after seeing the draw on Friday afternoon, he has revealed he’s happy about going up against his old-club.
Klopp’s Reaction
He said: “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.
“I am really happy with the draw. 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.
“On Thursday 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.
“It is better to play against them in two games than in only one game.”
‘Special Games’
Klopp also admitted it’s good for the competition to see two European giants going head-to-head.
He continued: “100 per cent they will be special games. 100 per cent.
“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.
“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.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
