Borussia Dortmund vs Liverpool - Tuchel not expecting Klopp to go easy on Dortmund

Posted Thursday, April 07, 2016 by PA

Borussia Dortmund have been warned that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will show no mercy to his former club on his return to the Westfalenstadion.

Klopp takes his Liverpool side back to the place where he made his name as a coach for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.

The German won two Bundesliga titles, one DFB-Pokal and reached the Champions League final during a seven-year spell in charge of Dortmund and his successor Thomas Tuchel said he was guaranteed a warm welcome on his return.

"Anything else but a warm welcome for Jurgen Klopp will be a surprise," Tuchel said at a press conference on Wednesday.

But he added: "From the moment the whistle goes Jurgen Klopp will want nothing else than to win. And we too."

For Tuchel, though, facing Klopp at one of the latter's former sides is a far from unusual experience, having spent five years in charge of Mainz, the club where the Liverpool boss started his managerial career.

"It's not the first time I've welcomed Klopp back to an ex-club," he said. "This is the sixth time for me. It's a routine."

Tuchel has enjoyed an impressive first season at Dortmund, leading a side which finished seventh under Klopp last term to second in the table, just points behind Bayern Munich, and to the last eight in Europe, including a thumping 5-1 aggregate win over title-chasing Tottenham in the last round.

The 42-year-old is aware, though, that he is building on foundations laid by his predecessor.

"No-one has forgotten when he achieved here," Tuchel said.

"We are now where we are, because of our history with Jurgen."

Liverpool go into the match in ninth place in the Premier League and without a win since their 2-0 home success over Manchester United in the first leg of their last-16 tie four matches ago.

However, Tuchel believes their form is improving.

"Liverpool have continued to improve in the past weeks," he said. "They have outstanding individual quality in their squad and are extremely difficult to play against. We have to be ready for an absolutely top performance."

Liverpool manager Klopp may not be entirely comfortable with the attention he has received on his return to his former club but he admits he would rather be in Dortmund than North Korea.

More than 20 television crews, twice as many photographers and about 100 journalists were present to hear him give his press conference.

"A lot has been said ahead of this match but it is easy for me as I just have friends here," he said ahead of the Europa League quarter-final first leg.

"It is better to be here than, I don't know, North Korea or something.

"I don't think about my situation for not one second.

"We got here early so I had 20 minutes to catch up with old friends - it would have been daft not to have that chance.

"Tomorrow is different, we are focused on the game.

"If Dortmund score I won't celebrate for sure but I never plan if I am going to celebrate."

Dortmund are favourites for the Europa League outright and the task facing Liverpool in the Westfalenstadion is a considerable one.

But Klopp insists he is not here to bask in the adoration still bestowed on him by fans - the district in which he lived have had a collection to buy him a gift on his return - and the city as a whole.

"We have said Dortmund are favourites and I don't think anyone disagrees with that and it is understandable considering they are having a good season," he said of the Bundesliga's second-placed side.

"We have looked at the way Dortmund play but my players haven't travelled here without any hope we will get a result tomorrow.

"My players have not come here and expected me to give them a detailed breakdown on every Dortmund player.

"Dortmund are in a better moment in their season but we have had good moments and not had the benefit of it.

"If we are not good tomorrow it will be easy for Dortmund but why should I think about this?

"We have the highest mountain to climb but it is possible.

"We haven't lost a match in the Europa League, we had Augsburg and it was not too easy and Manchester United was the biggest game and biggest pressure so we are prepared for this.

"And you need a bit of luck."