Jurgen Klopp says there was something ‘really cool’ about Liverpool’s Europa League draw

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Jurgen Klopp says he’s really looking forward to playing each of Liverpool’s Europa League opponents.

The Reds were drawn in Group E alongside LASK, Union Saint-Gilloise and Toulouse yesterday. It isn’t quite the European nights Liverpool fans have become used to, but it’s something to enjoy all the same.

And reviewing the draw for liverpoolfc.com, Klopp admitted that he’d never faced any of the three teams during his career.

“Top. [I’ve] never played against one of the teams, which I love, and [I’m] really excited about it,” said the boss.

“[I] can’t wait to get started, happy that we don’t have to fly too far, to be honest, because [that’s] a bit of a concern when you play Thursday and then you come back from wherever in Europe, and there are some distances, I think, especially in the Europa League, which is really tricky. It could be really tricky so there we were a bit lucky.

“But with the teams we have to learn now, obviously. When I saw it I went through the squads directly and tried to figure out a little bit who I know, what I know already, but that’s obviously not enough in the moment.

“They [all] have our full respect. I am looking really forward to the Europa League and didn’t play it that often in my life and that’s why it makes it even more special. So, it’s really cool.”

Jurgen excited for Europa League

Some will probably accuse Jurgen of lacking ambition or settling for a competition that Liverpool shouldn’t be in.

But as the manager explains, the Europa League is an exciting tournament in its own right. The Reds weren’t good enough to qualify for the Champions League last season, so they’re not above anyone here.

Clearly, there is a big difference in terms of the size of the clubs in Group E. But it’s something new and that in itself is exciting.

It also represents a real chance for Liverpool to win the only trophy that’s missing from Klopp’s collection at the club.

They’ve been in the Europa League before in recent years. But under Roy Hodgson and Brendan Rodgers, the Reds never felt like a team that could win it.

In Klopp’s previous attempt with Liverpool, they got to the final. After eight years of his stewardship though, this team is a different beast. Looking at the competition right now, the Reds should comfortably be favourites.

That may change when teams drop down from the Champions League. Regardless of who comes down though, Liverpool should really fancy their chances. Get excited.