Jurgen Klopp smiles for the camera as Liverpool land in Munich ahead of Bayern test and declares: ‘We have a chance and that is all we need’
- Liverpool face Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena after goalless first leg
- Jurgen Klopp sees the Champions League as an opportunity for success
- Pundits have claimed that Liverpool should forego European competition
Liverpool arrived in Munich on Tuesday night with Jurgen Klopp in a bullish mood ahead of the second leg against Bayern in the Allianz Arena.
After a goalless stalemate at Anfield last month there is everything to play for in the return match in Bavaria.
And the German manager insists that he sees it as an opportunity amid growing calls from pundits for his side to forego European competition and concentrate on their title challenge.
Jurgen Klopp was all smiles as Liverpool arrived at the Hilton Hotel in Munich on Tuesday night
Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah make their way off the team bus on arriving at the hotel
‘We see it only as an opportunity,’ said Klopp, when asked what pressure he felt. ‘Win it or go out. Everyone knows you can go out against Bayern and no one will say, “How could that happen?” That’s how we see it. Clear. We wanted and we still want to prove our value again in Europe.
‘It is really important for the club to show we are a proper threat in that competition. With all the things we did in the last few years, that is exactly what happened. We are back on track but that doesn’t mean we now go through against Bayern.
‘We are in the race and we have a chance and that is all we need. We are not like kids thinking if we do not win it in the first leg we have no chance.
‘We have a chance and that is all we need. We are not out or through, but we are in it. That is what we have to use.’
Dejan Lovren looks set to be in the squad again after recovering from a hamstring injury
Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho are among those who have travelled for Liverpool’s game
Xherdan Shaqiri waves to the crowd on his return to Munich as a Liverpool player
Gary Neville has led the calls for Liverpool to focus on their title bid, saying: ‘I’m going to say it: go out against Bayern Munich. That sounds like madness.
‘Of course, you’d never play to lose a game but it will be in Liverpool’s favour if they have a clean run as they can get everyone fresh.’
Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk were among the first-team stars pictured arriving at the Hilton Hotel in Munich ahead of Wednesday’s clash.
Naby Keita stayed at home due to injury while Trent Alexander-Arnold’s fitness is being monitored due to a back strain.