Robin Hood, Rocky Balboa help Klopp passion shine

LONDON: A confessed admirer of the underdog tales of Robin Hood and Rocky Balboa, Jurgen Klopp is probably uncomfortable with Liverpool’s status as strong favourites in today’s Champions League semi-final, first leg against Roma.

However, it is testament to how far the German has revitalised a sleeping giant on the European stage that Liverpool’s first appearance in the Champions League last four for a decade is met with such expectation. It hasn’t always been a such a smooth ride since Klopp arrived an Anfield two-and-a-half years ago.

Indeed, even in the aftermath of a 5-1 quarter-final thrashing of hitherto tournament favourites Manchester City, Klopp warned the clock was ticking on his promise to deliver a trophy within four years of taking charge.

Early in his reign Klopp at times bemoaned the subdued atmosphere in modern English grounds, even at the mythical Anfield, compared to his grounding in Germany’s Bundesliga.

By contrast, Anfield will be at fever pitch today to try and inspire the five-time European champions back to club’s football’s biggest game in the Kiev final on May 26.

“The Champions League nights are special for the fans too,” Liverpool’s talisman Mohamed Salah told CNN. “You can feel it on the streets. The atmosphere in that first game against Man City was the first time I had really seen something like that.”

Premier League champions City’s evisceration by a threegoal blitz in 19 first-half minutes was just another chapter in a long history of famous European nights at Anfield.

“The Liverpool fans, they all believe ‘this is our competition’,” recognised City boss Pep Guardiola afterwards.

But it came on the back of a rallying cry by Klopp for his players not to be intimidated by Liverpool’s history in the competition, but to make memories they too will be remembered for.

Klopp’s revival of Liverpool has come from far more than rabble rousing.

His fluid 4-3-3 system has brought the best out of a prolific front three of Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, who have combined for 83 goals this season.

“I think Jurgen is a master to buy players with what he really needs for the way he wants to play,” said Guardiola, who has suffered more defeats in his career to Klopp than any other manager.