KLOPP’S FEARS OVER DORTMUND BUS ATTACK

LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp has spoken of his concern for his former club Borussia Dortmund after hearing of the attack on their team bus on Tuesday night. The German club’s Champions League quarter-final tie against Monaco was delayed by 24 hours after three roadside explosives shattered bus windows. Klopp, who managed Dortmund for seven years until 2015, said he immediately tried to get information about his former colleagues before speaking of his pride at the team’s response in Wednesday night’s rearranged tie, which Monaco won 3-2. He did, however, question the decision to play the game just a day after the incident. An emotional Klopp said: ‘It was a really, really difficult moment for everyone. I don’t know how often I have been in that hotel down the years. I know exactly where it is on that road. ‘I was scared for them (the players), I was scared for everyone. ‘I had contact with a few people but didn’t want to bother them with my silly questions. ‘The last thing I thought about was the game. ‘I think everyone would have said, if they were asked, okay we play next week. ‘I watched the game and I was really proud of Dortmund and how they created this atmosphere. They tried to be at their best. ‘But I saw it in the faces of my former players and I saw the shock in their eyes.’ Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel, who now has to prepare his side to face Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga this weekend, has claimed his side were told they had to play again via a text message from UEFA. But the governing body yesterday issued a statement saying the club agreed to the rearrangement of the match. A UEFA spokesman said: ‘UEFA was in touch with all parties on Wednesday and never received any information which suggested any of the teams did not want to play.’ Defender Marc Bartra is expected to be out for up to four weeks with the right wrist injury he suffered during the bomb attack. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who coached Bartra at Barcelona, passed on his best wishes to the 26-year-old. ‘I wish him the best recovery possible,’ said Guardiola. ‘Fortunately it wasn’t that serious, but the world is getting crazy and we don’t know what is going to happen next. ‘We have to keep living without fear, but these things can happen.’