Ahead of UEFA Champions League tie against FC Porto, Liverpool boss claims they will fully prepare

With their UEFA Champions League quarter-final opponent now set, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp recently reacted about being paired against FC Porto.

The European Cup draw saw Liverpool as hosts of the first leg before travelling to Estadio Do Dragao for the return match.

Porto and the Reds have had recent history as the two also battled in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League last year – with Klopp’s men winning 5-0 on aggregate in the round-of-16.

Despite the fairly recent result, Klopp believes they will still have to be at their best when they face their rivals in the quarter-final.

Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, he said: “What can I say? It’s Porto and we’ve played there already and we know how good we had to be last year.

“The result in the end was a strange one; it was very good for us, of course, but it was a strange one. In the second leg, we saw the character of Porto and the quality they have.

“I could not be further away from thinking it’s the best draw because it isn’t – it is just the draw, it’s the opponent we have to prepare for and that’s all we will be thinking about from when we start preparing for the game.

“We have a specialist for Porto in our own team in Pep Lijnders being there in the past – and he always speaks with so much respect for that club. We will have plenty of information and that’s what you need before a game, but you still have to play it. Now we know it, let’s prepare.”

“The first thing you have to do is make sure everybody respects the opponent the right way – and we will do that 100 per cent.”

Jürgen Klopp reacts to facing @FCPorto in the @ChampionsLeague quarter-final. 👊

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 15, 2019

Klopp admitted that Porto might be eyeing revenge after last year’s clash, making them very dangerous.

He said: “100 per cent [it could give them extra motivation]. Porto were not on my ‘wish list’, but now they are our opponent, it is how it is and we have to play them.

“The first thing you have to do is make sure everybody respects the opponent the right way – and we will do that 100 per cent. We will know about the quality of Porto and then we have to play the game. Our supporters are brilliant at that, respecting the opponent.

“I am happy for them because it is a nice trip, a nice city, and the weather will be good then, which is always good for English people! There’s nothing else to say.”