Jurgen Klopp ‘excited’ as Liverpool draw Real Madrid in repeat of final – ‘It’s proper Champions League’

Jurgen Klopp mentioned Liverpool ought to embrace the “thrilling” problem of going through reigning European champions Actual Madrid within the Champions League final 16.

Actual got here out on prime in Paris with a 1-0 win, whereas additionally they defeated Klopp’s aspect 3-1 within the 2017-18 ultimate – and 3-1 on combination within the 2020-21 quarter-finals.

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“The very first thing that we are able to say about this draw is it’s correct Champions League. This can be a tie that speaks for itself and one which we should always all be enthusiastic about,” Klopp advised Liverpool’s web site.

“I do know we now have performed Actual Madrid in a few current finals, however it’s not so typically that our two golf equipment have met in a two-legged tie, so now we are able to stay up for this taking place.”

Actual Madrid are essentially the most profitable European aspect of all time, successful 14 Champions League and European Cup titles, together with 5 within the final 9 years.

Liverpool final gained the celebrated trophy in 2018-19 for his or her sixth title – a tally solely bettered by Actual, and likewise AC Milan who’ve gained it seven instances.

“Actual’s European document is the very best round. We all know this. However we additionally know that ours is just not too unhealthy. On prime of this, we all know that we now have Anfield and everybody is aware of what this implies,” Klopp mentioned.

“It’s a actually good draw. A extremely thrilling draw. The video games themselves are nonetheless a couple of months away but it surely doesn’t take a substantial amount of creativeness to suppose what the ambiance will probably be like at each video games.

“There may be plenty of soccer to be performed earlier than this, after all, so we’ll concentrate on every recreation because it comes however sure, this draw has given us one thing particular to stay up for.”

Liverpool have gotten off to a gradual begin this season and drew Actual Madrid after ending second of their group behind Napoli.

Within the Premier League, Klopp’s aspect have gained simply 5 of their 13 matches up to now and sit in eighth place, 15 factors off prime.

However Actual Madrid director Emilio Butragueno, a two-time UEFA Cup winner throughout his taking part in days, insisted there’s no threat of the Reds being underestimated.

“The sport is in February. They are a successful staff and a successful membership. They’ve a stadium that basically will get behind them,” Butragueno advised the Actual Madrid web site.

“They are going to be a really robust opponent, we all know that, however we’re Actual Madrid and everybody understands what this competitors means to us.

“We are the champions and we’ll take pleasure in it as a lot as we are able to. The second leg is on the Bernabeu in entrance of our followers, everyone knows meaning and so does everybody in Europe. We’ll do all the things we are able to. We consider in our gamers, and we’ll see what occurs”.

Pioli cautious of Spurs menace

Elsewhere within the draw, Tottenham Hotspur had been pitted in opposition to AC Milan in a match that can see Spurs boss Antonio Conte return to his native Italy.

Conte led Milan’s rivals Inter to the Serie A title as not too long ago as 2020/21, getting the higher of his Rossoneri counterpart Stefano Pioli.

“Conte is a good coach, who has gained lots in every single place. He offers a transparent id and an awesome mentality to his staff,” Pioli mentioned at a press convention.

“Tottenham could be very compact and tidy with very robust people, like (Harry) Kane, (Heung-min) Son, (Dejan) Kulusevski, (Ivan) Perisic, with many who know Milan and Italian soccer. On paper I believe it may very well be a balanced problem.”

Milan have already confronted English opposition this season within the group stage, the place they misplaced each their conferences with Chelsea to complete second behind the London membership.

“Unbeatable and ideal groups don’t exist. We need to play to go the spherical, if we now have reached this stage, it’s as a result of we now have worth and depth,” Pioli mentioned.

“Milan’s numbers in opposition to the English are traditionally detrimental, we should work to reverse the development.”

Barcelona face ‘large job’

The Pink Devils progressed by way of their group after failing to qualify for the Champions League final season, whereas Barca dropped down from the top-tier event after ending third of their group.

The conflict marks a gathering between two giants of European soccer, with the golf equipment boasting eight European Cup/Champions League trophies between them.

“We should compete, going to Manchester in opposition to a very prime rival and a historic aspect which has grown lots with the arrival of (Erik) Ten Hag,” mentioned Barcelona supervisor Xavi after the draw.

“[United have] nice particular person gamers and it’s the hardest rival as soon as once more within the Europa League.

“We can have time to analyse it, they’re a robust staff in each defence and assault, not only for Cristiano Ronaldo, however different gamers [too].

“Manchester United are a historic membership and so they additionally must win. Two large groups and it should be a large job.”