Liverpool Meet Barcelona in the Champions League Semifinals, This is Jurgen Klopp’s Comment

DBasia.news –  Liverpool’s manager Jurgen Klopp responded to his team meeting against Barcelona in the 2018-19 Champions League semifinals. Klopp also specifically discusses the superstar, Lionel Messi.

Liverpool are in the last four through a 6-1 aggregate goal over FC Porto.  Winning 2-0 at Anfield via Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino goals, Liverpool won 4-1 at the Estadio do Dragao, Porto headquarters on Thursday (18/4) early morning Western Indonesian Time.

Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Virgil van Dijk were Liverpool’s goalscorers in Portugal, which were reduced by Eder Militao’s goals.  Liverpool were quite ferocious in converting five chances on their target to four goals.

Nevertheless, according to Klopp, Porto’s direction by Sergio Conceiao made it difficult for his team at Dragao.  This was evidenced by ball possession 51 percent compared to 49 percent, not to mention with 19 attempted kicks and eight strikes on target by Porto.

 “This is not a result that reflects two matches. At Anfield, we are clearly a team that performs better,” Klopp said, quoted by BBC Sport.

“We dominated and played really good football, making things difficult for Porto. Tonight on the contrary, they made us troubled,” he continued.

Liverpool have been awaited by Barcelona in the semifinals.  The Blaugrana got rid of the English team, Manchester United, with a total goal aggregate of 4-0 through an own goal by Luke Shaw, two goals from Messi, and Philippe Coutinho.

Klopp said he was enthusiastic about fighting Barcelona and couldn’t wait to play it, and thought about how to stop La Pulga.  Nevertheless, Klopp confirmed to his foster children to first focus on playing in the Premier League because they are still competing with Manchester City.

“I am grateful I don’t need to think about Messi tonight and be grateful because I have a few more nights to think about it! I think everyone has tried to do it (stop Messi) and no one is really capable. We will still try that,” added  Klopp.

“We have been looking forward to that fight, but we have to do a lot of other work before facing Barcelona. So let’s play these games and just prepare for Barcelona.”

“I think we were the club in the semifinals that reached this round last year. This is the first time we have played with Barcelona, ​​besides the trial match, so, I can’t wait for that,” he stressed.