Klopp boasts Reds ‘back on top’ after triumph

Jurgen Klopp said his Liverpool side proved they are “back on the European stage” after an impressive 3-1 win at Bayern Munich on Wednesday put them into the Champions League quarter-finals.

“It’s a big step to get this club back on the European stage and I am really happy,” said Liverpool’s German manager.

“If Barcelona, if Real Madrid come here, they know this is a hard place to win.

“It’s a big step for us, let’s see what we can do with it, but we have a set a bar for this wonderful club that we really are back on the landscape of top international football.

“We think that is where this club should be, but let’s carry on, we have a lot to learn, a lot to improve, but we’re back.”

Liverpool’s victory means they join Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Manchester United in the quarter-finals, completing a clean sweep of English sides reaching the last eight for the first time since 2008/09.

“It is good for English football — that’s what you want,” said Liverpool midfielder James Milner.

“We have good feelings from last year, so hopefully we can carry that on and go as far as we can.”

It is a bleaker picture in Germany as Bayern’s exit leaves no Bundesliga club in the quarters for the first time since 2005/06, as Borussia Dortmund and Schalke also bowed out in the last 16 — to Tottenham and Man City respectively.

“Both teams were very cautious for a long period, but the second goal took the belief out of us,” said Bayern defender Mats Hummels.

“Jurgen Klopp is good at neutralising the opponents’ strengths and he did that once again.”

This is the first time since 2011 that Bayern have failed to make the quarter-finals.

“We have the right to be bitterly disappointed, it’s tough not being part of the Champions League anymore,” said Bayern head coach Niko Kovac.

“We have to be positive, we have a good run in the Bundesliga and we have to focus on that.”

Milner was preferred to Fabinho in Liverpool’s midfield, but Klopp was forced into an early change when captain Jordan Henderson hobbled off on 12 minutes.

“It doesn’t look so serious for Jordan’s ankle, but it’s always a bad sign when you have to make a change, especially in midfield,” said Klopp.