Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp quashes hype, saying Champions League visit of Bayern Munich is 'not personal'
Whenever Jurgen Klopp faces Bayern Munich, there is an inescapable sense of what might have been. The club’s decision to overlook Klopp for the manager’s job in 2008 has been well documented, even more so in the build-up to Tuesday night’s Champions League first leg at Anfield.
“I was not angry,” Klopp, who was in charge of Mainz at the time, recalled. “I never expected they would go for me. I was a second division manager in Germany.”
Uli Hoeness, the Bayern president, has been less forthcoming on recent interest in Liverpool’s manager. There were strong suggestions a year ago – never confirmed or denied – Bayern wanted Klopp to replace Jupp Heynckes in time for the start of this season. It would be more shocking if the Bundesliga champions had not investigated the possibility of appointing their country’s most coveted coach before turning to Niko Kovac.
Reassuringly for Liverpool, Marc Kosicke, Klopp’s agent, issued a statement saying, despite being “a good fit”, even Germany’s most powerful club could not lure him from Merseyside. Not yet, anyway.
The history between the Liverpool manager and Bayern – powered by Klopp’s triumphant era at Borussia Dortmund – adds a layer to the last-16 fixture.
Despite the rivalry, there has only been warmth and mutual respect between the clubs, not animosity. Since the draw, there have been plenty of Bayern tributes to their opponents, members of the squad even dressing up as The Beatles and sounding like tourists heading to a shrine.
“A couple of people called me in the last few days to tell me Germany, or football Germany, is going mad over this game,” said Klopp.
“I don’t see it as a personal thing. There was never any negative thing for Bayern, but when we played each other and when they bought our players [at Dortmund], how can I be happy and say ‘yes, great idea?’
“That was not nice for us at Dortmund, but it is part of the business and it was a long time ago. I was never able to be angry for a long time. In these moments I was not happy.
“It is a big club, it was a big competition for us in Germany. I wish Dortmund would be the champions of course, but that’s pretty much all.
“It is two big clubs facing each other and I am really happy to be part of this game.”
Klopp’s demeanour has shifted from his early Uefa briefings as Liverpool manager, when he was always bullish about his team’s chances, but generally deferential when facing teams with more European experience. Not now.
The respect for the opposition is the same – Klopp dismisses any suggestion Bayern, though second in the Bundesliga, are not what they were – but he is more inclined to emphasise the capabilities of his side and Anfield’s influence.
“It’s a big one. It is a game you want to see and maybe that is the biggest achievement for my team so far – we are back not only in the competition, but people think we could win it,” he said, with the defeat in last year’s final in mind.
“We don’t underestimate ourselves, we don’t think we are not good enough. We are a proper competitive side – that’s really cool – and in our stadium, with our people, we are a proper force.
“So we have to show that again and make life as uncomfortable as possible for them. We know there is a lot of talk about it – the most emotional stadium in Europe and all that stuff. Now in Germany, they described us as the most emotional club in the world. So, emotion is very positive, let’s show that.”
There are problems for Liverpool. Dejan Lovren is not expected to recover from a hamstring issue in time and Virgil van Dijk is suspended. Fabinho is in line to deputise at centre-back.
Striker Roberto Firmino also provided a late scare, missing training on Monday with a virus.
Unlike last season’s run to the final, Liverpool have dual priorities this season. They dropped 10 Premier League points during the knockout stages a year ago. A similarly scant return would end their title bid, which is why time was spent at a training camp in Spain last week ensuring the players’ focus is not compromised by midweek exertion.
“It is why Marbella was such an important week for us to get ready,” said captain Jordan Henderson.
“I feel as though we have a good enough squad to cope with the games when they are coming thick and fast. It is down to us to keep performing, no matter what competition it is. We will give everything and just be mentally ready for the next few months.”
Bayern’s directors may look enviously at Liverpool’s technical area before the game. Liverpool’s will be hoping they have more reason to lament after the tie, Klopp reiterating he is far from completing his Anfield adventure.
“The story so far is a nice one, but it’s not finished yet,” he said.
Team details (possible)
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Fabinho, Robertson; Keita, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Mane, Firmino, Salah.
Bayern Munich (4-3-3): Neuer; Alaba, Hummels, Sule, Kimmich; Martinez, Alcantara, Goretzka; Coman, Lewandowski, Gnabry.
