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'It is the situation we dreamed of' | Jurgen Klopp

The Estádio da Luz will play host to Liverpool when they travel to Lisbon for the first of leg o...



'It is the situation we dreame...
Soccer

'It is the situation we dreamed of' | Jurgen Klopp

The Estádio da Luz will play host to Liverpool when they travel to Lisbon for the first of leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday. 

Benfica, twice winners of the competition, the last back in 1962 will aim to cause another upset after defeating Ajax in the round of sixteen. 

Currently third in the league, 12 points off the top, the Portuguese side have endured a below par season but Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is wary of what problems they can cause his side. 

“There is a lot of quality in this team and experience. It is an interesting challenge. That is how it should be. I am really happy and I am really looking forward to it,” said Klopp. 

SLB boast some talent in their squad familiar with watchers of English football. Jan Vertonghen, Nicolas Otamendi and Adel Taarabt should all play some part while Uruguayan centre-forward Darwin Núñez is one to watch. He has four goals in the Champions League this season. 

Liverpool are on course for an unprecedented quadruple. April will be a testing month, with games against Manchester City in the Premier League and FA Cup, Manchester United and Everton in the league and a possible Champions League semi-final if they get beyond tomorrow night’s opponents. 



"It is nice, we enjoy it. Training sessions are very short. The meeting we had this morning was shorter than the training session. It is the situation we would have dreamed of,” said Klopp. 

The mercurial Mohammed Salah cut a frustrated figure last Saturday at home to Watford, failing to register a single shot on target. With question marks over the Egyptian's future at the club, Klopp was quick to back his star man. 

 

"For me, the performance level is important, how he brings players together. It's a tough period for Mo and Sadio [Mane], coming back from international duty and being available again. We see him every day - there is nothing to worry about."

Liverpool have no fresh injury concerns for Tuesday night’s tie as Naby Keita returns to the squad. 

“The full squad is available. Curtis [Jones] had a little swelling, and disappeared overnight. Trent now, 4-5 days is ready as well."

This Jurgen Klopp side has displayed all the hallmarks of winners, already adding the Carabao Cup to their trophy cabinet this season. The German is pleased with what he has seen from his team this season. 

“We need desire, mentality and excitement. You can't buy that - you have to mature as a player, as a coach and as a team. You judge things calmer in the future. That is experience.”

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Adel Taarabt Benfica Champions League Darwin Nunez Egypt Klopp Liverpool MANE Manchester City Portugal Quarter Final Salah UEFA