‘I’ve been in the business for 17 years and it’s the first time I’ve been to Barcelona for a competitive match’: Jurgen Klopp looking forward to Liverpool’s ‘most important game’
- Barcelona host Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday
- The first leg at the Nou Camp will be Jurgen Klopp’s first match against Barca
- Liverpool manager Klopp is relishing the challenge of facing the Spanish giants
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is relishing pitting his wits against Barcelona – in what will be his first-ever competitive match against the Spanish giants.
The Reds have travelled to Spain for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night.
The Nou Camp showdown pits the two strongest sides in the competition against each other in what is a bound to be a mouthwatering affair.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has spoken of his eagerness to face Barcelona on Wednesday
The Reds boss is preparing his side for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final
And ahead of that match, Klopp can’t wait to test his mettle against Ernesto Valverde’s side.
‘It’s a special game, you don’t play a lot at the Nou Camp,’ he told BT Sport.
‘I’ve been in the business for 17 years and it’s the first time I’ve been to Barcelona for a competitive match! I should be prepared for that having watched so many games of them.
‘It’s the final part of the season and we don’t really feel any moment of intensity. Of course in the games you feel it but between them the boys just want to play the next one. We want to try and squeeze everything out of the season and see where it leads us. It’s brought us and that’s already good.’
Since Klopp’s arrival in October 2015, Liverpool have continued to improve season upon season – with this campaign no exception as they seek a potential Premier League and Champions League double.
The match against the Spanish giants will be Klopp’s first competitive one against them
Klopp is proud of the progress his side has made as they gear up for the final few weeks of the term – starting with Barcelona.
‘All that we are over the years has actually made us for a game like this but now we’re tested on the highest level,’ he added.
‘I’ve never played them so it will be interesting so we will see. If we win it’s about the boys, if we lose it’s about me. I’m really looking forward to the game as it’s so exciting.
‘You have the best teams in the world and are tested in each second of the game, each corner of the pitch, each challenge – it’s just amazing but still they want it and that’s why we’re here.’
Klopp is hoping to end the season with domestic and continental silverware with Liverpool
