Nothing personal in Bayern clash for Reds’ Klopp
LIVERPOOL manager Juergen Klopp spent seven years battling against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, but he says there is nothing personal at play in today’s UEFA Champions League clash with the German champion.
In his time as coach of Borussia Dortmund and before that Mainz 05, Klopp faced Bayern 29 times and earned just nine victories.
The best known game of all was the 2013 UCL final at Wembley Stadium when Arjen Robben’s 89th-minute goal won the title for Bayern.
“There was never any negative thing with Bayern, but when we play each other and they buy our players, how can I be happy?” Klopp told a news conference yesterday.
Defender Mats Hummels and forward Robert Lewandowski were in Klopp’s Dortmund side in the 2013 final but are now with Bayern.
“I worked together with these boys. Two fantastic players. I have to be really thankful. Without them probably my career would not be the same,” he said. “We all benefited from each other. That’s part of my life and part of my history. We’ll always have a lot of respect for each other.
“I know a lot about them. I really like them. We will try everything to, what can I say? To let them not shine.”
Klopp confirmed recent comments from Bayern president Uli Hoeness that the coach could have joined the Bavarian club in 2008 when it instead appointed Juergen Klinsmann.
“Whoever brought it up that in 2008 I had two phone calls with Bayern I would never have (talked) about it,” he said.
“It’s long ago. It’s a big club and it was a big competition for us in Germany when I was at Dortmund.”
While Bayern is second in the league — after winning the Bundesliga for the past six seasons — Klopp still expects a very tough test at Anfield.
“After being six years the dominator of the league, it was clear this year would be different,” he added.
“We have maybe achieved a little bit more than expected, Bayern maybe a bit less.
“Both are in a similar situation but there is a long way to go. If I wasn’t involved tomorrow I would try and buy a ticket.”
Klopp has problems in defense where key Dutch center half Virgil van Dijk is suspended while Dejan Lovren has yet to return to full training.
One option could be for Brazilian Fabinho to drop into the back four alongside Germanborn Cameroon international Joel Matip.
Meanwhile, Bayern jetted to Liverpool without center back Jerome Boateng and hoping French winger Kingsley Coman will be fit.
Boateng is out with an upset stomach, leaving Hummels to partner Niklas Suele at Anfield.
Boateng and Franck Ribery were the biggest names missing when the team flew out of Munich yesterday.
(Agencies)