Bring on City, says defiant boss

LIVERPOOL MANAGER SAYS THEY’LL BE WORRIED

Juergen Klopp says Manchester City won’t be happy to have been drawn against Liverpool in a Champions League quarterfinal showdown of Premier League rivals.

Klopp’s side were paired with runaway leaders City in yesterday’s draw and the Reds boss is certain Pep Guardiola’s side will be feeling a little nervous.

Although City beat Liverpool 5-0 in September, they suffered their only league defeat this season at Liverpool on January 14.

The Reds raced into a 4-1 lead before settling for a 4-3 victory and Klopp believes that vibrant performance will set the tone for the European rematch.

The quarterfinal first leg will take place at Anfield on April 4 and the decisive return is set for April 10 at the Etihad.

The tie will be the first meeting between Premier League sides in the Champions League quarterfinals since 2010/11 when Manchester United beat Chelsea.

Facing another English team gives the clash added spice and Klopp is relishing the occasion.

“I’ve said it before and it’s still the truth, it’s always common in a draw that you’ll get your neighbour, more or less, but to be honest I don’t mind, really,” he said.

“It is exactly like it was before – we take what we’ve got.

“We have a few games to play until then, but I am really looking forward to it and we will give it everything.”

City are 21 points clear of fourth-placed Liverpool, but Klopp hopes the atmosphere at Anfield on another big European night will prove a key factor.

City are chasing their first European Cup and the club’s director of football Txiki Begiristain admits Liverpool will pose a significant obstacle.

“It’s a very difficult one. We like to travel and to go to another country in the Champions League but it is what it is,” he said.

“In the Champions League there is no time for mistakes, everything has to work, you have to be almost perfect in both games. We know the power and the strength of Liverpool.” – AFP

Arsenal will take on CSKA Moscow after being drawn together in a Europa League quarterfinal at a time of strained relations between Britain and Russia.

There was an all-Iberian cast in another eye-catching quarterfinal draw as capital teams Atletico Madrid, who many see as the main pretenders to the title, drew Sporting Lisbon.

Marseille will take on RB Leipzig, while Lazio face minnows in Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg.