Klopp: Semi-final Qualification A Big Statement For Liverpool

By Joshua Walters

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has described the Reds Champions League semi-finals qualification as 'a big statement'.

The last season's finalists defeated FC Porto 4-1 on Wednesday to qualify on a 6-1 aggregate, having beaten the Portuguese side 2-0 in the first leg at Anfield.

The Reds were beaten 3-1 by Real Madrid in a game which the former conceded two goals from then goalkeeper, Loris Karius’ goalkeeping errors.

A year on and Jurgen Klopp’s men are back in contention for another final berth, and Klopp praised his players as he also described their qualification as ‘unbelievable’.

“To be in the semi-final is a big statement. I’m really proud of the boys and what they did.

“For us to be in the semi-finals is unbelievable really, the second time in a row in the semi-finals is something really crazy”.

Liverpool have a difficult semi-final clash with Barcelona, and Klopp could not hide his smile as he looked forward to pitching his wit against the LaLiga leaders. 

“Now we are in the semi-final against Barcelona, I’m really happy that we play them”.

“We will find things that we think we can use against them, but I’m not worrying about that tonight."

“I’m looking forward to it but not tonight. The news that there’s a proper football game between Liverpool and Barcelona is really good news and I’m happy for all the people in the football club.

Porto enjoyed possession in the game but failed to threaten Liverpool as Sadio Mane nudged home the English side’s first chance of the night in the 28th minute.

“We had to defend in the first half a lot, but OK, that’s no problem, that’s something that we have to do,” Klopp said.

“The big difference is that it doesn’t cost us confidence. We are under pressure but no problem because we know we will get chances and when we did we scored them.”