Jurgen Klopp reveals connection with Hummels and Lewandowski: Press Conference

Two former Champions League winners Liverpool and Bayern Munich face off in the first leg of the  last-16 tie at Anfield on Tuesday evening. Ahead of the game Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has faced the press. Jurgen Klopp has refused to rule Dejan Lovren out of tomorrow’s Champions League tie with Bayern Munich. He also offered fitness updates on Gini Wijnaldum and Xherdan Shaqiri. When asked for the latest team news, Jurgen replied: “I don’t know 100 per cent. It’s Monday and we play on Tuesday so most of that should be clear. Gini trained and looked really well. Shaq did a lot, so it will be close, we have to see. Dejan, I actually have to wait minute by minute if there is a chance or not. But that’s pretty much all, I would say.” Tough Fixture List We have only tough months in the season. We have to be ready but be focused 100% on the game tomorrow night. Bayern Task When Munich has a difficult situation it’s mooring on a really high level. After being six years the dominator of the league it was clear this year would be different. To become the champion you need to have the desire of a newcomer combined with the quality of a real contender. Maybe at the start of the season, they didn’t have that but now they are chasing the situation. From my point of view that makes them even more dangerous. More Bayern Let’s enjoy the game together. We are a really strong side and that is what we have to show. After 6 years dominating their league it was clear that this year would be a more difficult year. Nothing is decided in the league yet and they are still in the CL. Similarities? No, we had different targets at the start of the season. They were six-times in a row champion. We have maybe achieved a little bit more than expected, Bayern maybe a bit less. Both are in a similar situation but there is a long way to go. We only think about the Champions League situation tomorrow night. If I wasn’t involved tomorrow I would try and buy a ticket. Home Advantage? No, playing home first is not usually an advantage but we don’t care. These games usually when two good teams face each other will not be decided in one game. We respect the competition. There are two legs to play. We will be 100% focused for both of them. Let’s create a basis we can use in the second game. It’s different but possible. Marbella Break You have the rhythm and keep the rhythm or have what we had and have a little break. We had to work on a lot of tactical things. We tried to give some inputs tactical and fitness work and needed the time to bring a couple of players back. We didn’t think about the break really. Jurgen Klopp is asked about his love for Liverpool and the city itself. Very much. Much more than I could have expected because you never know. The welcome was outstanding and since then it became better and better. We grew together and developed together. I’m not always in the city very much so I’m not sure what people say about me but I feel it in the stadium is very positive. We are a real competitor. It’s not enough but a very important step. The story so far is a nice one but not finished - yet. Hummels and Lewandowski I worked together with these boys. Two fantastic players. I have to be really thankful. Without them probably my career would not be the same. We all benefited from each other. That’s part of my life and part of my history. We’ll always have a lot of respect for each other.I know a lot about them. I really like them. We will try everything to, what can I say? To let them not shine. Added Bayern Rivalry “Only more stress because all the people wanted 600 extra interviews with German news! It’s not a little bit personal or whatever. Whoever brought it up that in 2008 I had two phone calls with Bayern [about taking the manager’s job] I would never have said about it. It’s long ago. It’s a big club and it was a big competition for us in Germany when I was [Dortmund manager]. Champions League or Premier League? It’s difficult for me to answer the question but for all Liverpool fans it’s the Premier League. That’s clear. But for now it’s the Champions League and we have to do our best tomorrow. Thank God we don’t have to decide that right now. We have to create an atmosphere on the pitch tomorrow and make it easier for the people. It will be outstanding tomorrow night. It’s something to enjoy. There’s a lot of power involved in the atmosphere. Our crowd is really able to push us from 100% to 140%.

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