Klopp claims Liverpool have done better than he feared after Coutinho exit
JURGEN KLOPP claims Liverpool have done better than he feared since selling Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona.
The Brazilian, who is set to face his old club tonight, left Anfield for £145million 15 months ago.
Boss Klopp said: “We miss Phil a lot because he is a world-class player.
“But we had to deal without him and we did well. I couldn’t imagine we would do that good but we did. I loved working with Phil and I’m happy to see him again.”
Klopp also warned his Liverpool side will have to “suffer” in the Nou Camp in tonight’s first leg of their Champions League semi-final against the La Liga champions.
The German — who led Liverpool to last season’s final against Real Madrid — added: “We won’t be perfect, we will make mistakes. We will suffer, 100 per cent.
“I know people made out that we became better in the last couple of years and Barcelona is not the same without Xavi or Iniesta.
“But we have been here for two years — they have been here for 20 years.
‘SO EXCITED’
“It will be so difficult but I couldn’t be more excited to play and I hope I can transport my players to feel the same.”
Klopp will make a lunchtime call on whether to start Roberto Firmino, who is struggling with a groin injury.
Firmino trained yesterday before Liverpool flew to Spain and Klopp added: “If Bobby is 100 per cent ready to play he will maybe play.
“He is here. He trained. Tomorrow he will have another session. Then I will have a decision to make.
“We all knew from the beginning it would be a race.
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“Of course, when it’s a race for one player you have to prepare all the other things. That’s what you have to do — and that’s what we did.
“It’s all good and we should be prepared for the game.
“We have 23 with us in Barcelona, so enough choices for me to make.”