Klopp: Liverpool won’t make same mistakes as Barcelona

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp insists his side will heed the lesson learned by Barcelona in their Champions League quarter-final demise to Roma and will not let their three-goal advantage slip against Roma on Wednesday.

The Reds head to Stadio Olimpico with a commanding 5-2 lead, safe in the knowledge they will reach their first Champions League final since 2007 should they avoid a three-goal defeat.

But European heavyweights Barcelona were in a similar position prior to their last-eight second-leg showdown in the Italian capital, only to lose 3-0 and exit the competition on away goals.

“We are here to fight for our dreams,” said Klopp “I didnt need a warning but if a warning was needed it was a warning. Rome was more ready than Barcelona. Barcelona probably thought it was decided.

“Everyone is telling us it is quite difficult and possible but no one told Barcelona it is possible to beat you 3-0 because no one could imagine it could happen. But it happened.

“I cannot say it is not possible. We are not Chelsea [who lost 3-0 to Roma earlier this season]. We are not Barcelona. We won 7-0 against [Spartak] Moscow at Anfield. What does that say? Nothing. We will be ready.

“I dont think we are through but I dont think we are in a bad situation. We are in a better situation than I could have imagined before the game. That is the truth.”

The build up to the clash – Liverpools biggest since the 2008 Champions League semi-final against Chelsea – has been dominated by Klopp losing the services of his long-standing No2 Zeljko Buvac.

Liverpool have denied a falling out between the pair, while Klopp refused to expand on the matter or comment on Buvac being linked with the Arsenal job when incumbent manager Arsene Wenger steps down in the summer.

“We gave a club statement and that is all we say at the moment. Nothing else,” added the German.

Klopp, meanwhile, praised the actions of Roma players after they trained in T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan Forza Sean in tribute to Sean OBrien, the Liverpool fan who was left in a critical condition following an altercation before the first leg.

“We all have the same opinion and it is a football game,” said Klopp. “The fight around a football game is only on the pitch and the rules are the football rules.

“I really hope after one week of speaking about it – and it was good to speak about it – Sean and his family should hear and feel our support.

“I really hope everyone understood that tomorrow around the game in this wonderful city in good weather all the people can walk to the stadium and look forward to a fantastic, intense, very important football game.”

Defender Joe Gomez will not be involved against the Giallorossi after picking up an ankle problem in the goalless draw with Stoke on Saturday, although Sadio Mane, Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all in Klopps squad after knocks.

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