PORTO • May 7 will be a date marked on the calendar of every Liverpool fan.
Not only will Anfield host the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona in what promises to be "a proper football game", the club will also welcome back two Reds "legends", Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez, for the first time since their exits.
Despite the acrimonious manner of their departures - Suarez in 2014 and Coutinho last year with both agitating for a Nou Camp move - they still hold a "special" place among the Anfield faithful.
However, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will not let sentiment cloud his tactical preparations as it will "not be a friendly game".
After crushing Porto 4-1 away on Wednesday, he said that while his focus was now back on the bid to end a 29-year English title drought, he was relishing the reunion with the former fan favourites.
Strikes from Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk completed a 6-1 aggregate victory, with Eder Militao scoring for the Portuguese champions on the night.
The German said: "Honestly, the only thing I'm thinking about is Cardiff on Sunday. But I can answer the question because it was clear since yesterday that if we win it, we will play these boys.
"For them, for these two boys, it's very special. For us, it's special. But we have to fight, we have to work, they will do it as well.
10
Jurgen Klopp's unbeaten streak in two-legged European fixtures as Liverpool manager.2
Second straight season Liverpool are in the semi-finals of the Champions League. They were beaten in the final by Real Madrid last year.
"It's so wonderful that you play with Liverpool against Barcelona in a European semi-final, that itself is a wonderful message, and now let's try to do the best.
"We fly tomorrow (to Wales) and make ourselves ready for another intense football game."
Klopp, whose unbeaten streak in two-legged European ties as Reds boss now stands at 10, was delighted by his players making a "big statement" by reaching the last four for the second year running.
He added: "I am really proud of the boys for what they did. We won the game and now another semi-final. It's unbelievable really, something crazy."
The Reds will head to Spain for the semi-final first leg on May 1.
While it has been six years and 31 games since Barcelona have lost at home in the competition, Klopp is confident they will still be in contention come the reverse fixture as long as Lionel Messi's influence can be limited.
Especially since the Argentinian has been a nemesis of English clubs, scoring 24 goals in 32 matches against them, more than any other player.
Jokingly thanking God he did not have to think about that on Wednesday, the 51-year-old Klopp added: "I have a few more nights to think about that. Everybody tried it so far and nobody can do it. We will still try it. We are looking forward to it, but we have so many jobs to do before we meet Barcelona."
Liverpool, with eight straight wins in all competitions since the 0-0 EPL draw at Everton on March 3, have momentum on their side as they dream of winning the league and the European Cup in the same year - a feat they last achieved back in 1984.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 03, 2019, with the headline 'Spurs must drop Lloris for top 4, says Jenas'. Print Edition | Subscribe.
Spurs must drop Lloris for top 4, says Jenas, Football News
(Adds quotes) MILAN, May 26 (Reuters) - Former European Cup winners AC Milan endured a bittersweet 3-2 win at SPAL in the last round of the Serie A, finishing the campaign outside the top four after their nearest rivals both booked their Champions League berths on Sunday.
Soccer: AC Milan miss out on top-four finish despite SPAL win
History made as women to referee men's AFC Cup clash 2019-05-15 Japanese referee Yoshimi Yamashita and assistants Makoto Bozono and Naomi Teshirogi will officiate the AFC Cup match between Myanmar's Yangon United and Cambodia's Naga World at the Thuwunna Stadium on Wednesday.
History made as first all-female referee team to officiate
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was thrilled with his side's management of the game as they cruised to an easy 3-0 victory away to Premier League strugglers Fulham on Saturday afternoon. The Norwegian extended his impressive unbeaten run as interim boss as United moved into the Champions League places for the first time this […]
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer aims thinly veiled dig at Jose Mourinho
Gareth Southgate hailed 'electric' Raheem Sterling after the England star terrorised Czech Republic at Wembley. The Manchester City attacker scored a hat-trick as England produced a breathtaking
Raheem Sterling And Leroy Sane Are Purring At Manchester City
In any case, he was born in 1977 and is forty-one years of age. He spent seven years at Skills F.C. in the Saint Croix Soccer League - there are two separate leagues in the Virgin Islands for mainly geographic reasons. He now plays for Rovers in the same league, he's a goalkeeper, and that's about all there is to know.
Women's World Cup 2019 set to break TV records as England's Lionesses head to France Organisers hope a billion people will tune in to watch the superstars of the planet's fastest growing sport
Record audience of more than 3.5 billion watched 2018 Russia
Napoli 'keeper Ospina out of hospital after head injury scare AFP March 19, 2019, 12:45 AM UTC Napoli's Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina (L) resumed playing after receiving a knock to his head
Napoli keeper Ospina out of hospital after head injury scare
ǁSoundCloud:
Nov 02, 2013 · Red Sox fans have a day to rejoice and remember Fans throng the city for World Series victory celebration By Bryan Marquard Globe Staff , November 2, 2013, 10:00 p.m.
Faithful fans rejoice as Hilltoppers break their 26-game
Valencia stroll into Europa semis with Villarreal win 19/04/2019 Oman Observer VALENCIA: Valencia eased into the Europa League semifinals for the first time in five years with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to fellow Spaniards Villarreal in heavy rain on Thursday for a resounding 5-1 aggregate scoreline.
Valencia vs. Villarreal - Football Match Report - April 19
tv5.espn.com/football/report?gameId=538709
Valencia eased into the semifinals of the Europa League for the first time in five years with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to fellow Spanish side Villarreal in heavy rain on Thursday for a resounding 5-1 aggregate scoreline.
Valencia stroll into Europa semis with Villarreal win - Reuters
He told Sky Sports, having seen the Red Devils grind out a 0-0 draw at Liverpool in their last trip to a fellow title hopeful: "Manchester United's trip to Chelsea on is a huge game for the
Ramahlwe Mphahlele: Nigeria match a must-win for Bafana Bafana
Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo is facing disciplinary action for his celebration after one of the three goals he scored in last week's 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. UEFA said the Portuguese would face a hearing on Thursday for "improper conduct" during the last-16 second leg match, where Juventus completed a 3-2
Ronaldo faces disciplinary hearing over goal celebration
Spurs get the chance to bounce back against Cardiff on New Year's Day and Winks insists the squad are determined to put the Wolves result right. "We said before the game that it was must-win
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar