Klopp insists Reds belong at business end of Euro battle

JURGEN KLOPP believes it was about time that Liverpool “showed up again” after reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in nine years.

A goalless draw against Porto at Anfield was enough to guide Klopp’s side through to the last eight after their emphatic 5-0 victory in the first leg at the Estadio do Dragao three weeks ago.

Liverpool have not graced the latter stages of this competition since the 2008-09 season under Rafael Benitez’s management but Klopp believes that it is the level the club should be regularly competing at.

“It feels good. I cannot feel what people feel when they wait so long but it feels good, I know about it. Last eight is cool,” he said after the final whistle.

“It was time we showed up again. There is good development at Liverpool and if you don’t show up in Champions League then nobody will realise it.

BELONGS

“It’s done, it’s good. I’m happy we made that step. Now let’s go and carry on.”

Klopp has led Liverpool back to where he believes the club “belongs” in his first Champions League campaign at Anfield.

“I never had a time schedule in my mind. I never thought we have to be there. I don’t want to make it smaller than it is, don’t want to make it bigger,” he said.

“We belong there, it should not be a big surprise and next round will be very difficult.”

Klopp added: “Seven other very good teams will be there as well, maybe four are there from England, doesn’t make it easier to be honest. We have a chance to go through to semis, that’s the tie.

“But take it step by step, its cool. We had this year first time the opportunity, now we are in, so I think we are in time.” (© Independent News Service)