You won’t be surprised to learn that the always positive Jurgen Klopp is positive about Liverpool’s Europa League draw.
Even though it could be argued that the German had plenty of reasons to want to avoid Borussia Dortmund.
Firstly, they’re a very impressive side, and rightful favourites for the Europa League, having dismantled Spurs in the previous round. While they’re also currently pushing the impervious Bayern Munich close in the Bundesliga.
There’s also the not so small matter of Klopp returning to the club where he enjoyed seven years of phenomenal success. The 48-year-old started a tactical revolution, won two Bundesliga titles, and took them to the brink of Champions League glory in 2013.
It’d be understandable if Klopp wanted to avoid the inevitable media circus around his return to Germany, but the Liverpool boss says he’s pleased with the draw, and that such an occasion is what football is all about.
“I am really happy with the draw,” Klopp told Liverpool’s official website.
“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. 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 a tournament, hopefully they’ve switched their minds in the last few weeks.”
“It’s football at its best and how it should be. 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.”
You’re not the only one, Jurgen. This should undoubtedly be the tie of the round.
