Jürgen Klopp: Victory at Bayern Munich “is a Great Night” for Liverpool

Jürgen Klopp has been a revelation for Liverpool since he accepted the manager position in 2015. In three and a half years Klopp has transformed this football club into a Champions League powerhouse. Liverpool’s adventure to last season’s final against Real Madrid felt like a fairytale without the proper ending. The loss in Kiev was a frustrating match to walk home from but this season’s climb through the competition’s stages has brought with it all the experience of last season's struggles.

Liverpool haven’t always looked assured on their journey to remedy that outcome in Kiev but Wednesday night’s match at the Allianz Arena proves that the Reds are back at the top of world football now.

Liverpool dealt with Bayern’s threats and successfully adapted their game plan after losing Jordan Henderson to an ankle injury. Post-match the manager was nearly giddy with the result and what it means to him and his players and the supporters around the world to win so handily at the home of the German giants.

“I see it the same like all the boys in the dressing room, like how everybody sees it who is with us: it is a big night,” said Klopp.

“We had a change early and we wanted to play more football than we did in the first half, so we changed that for the second half and it was much better.

“We scored an outstanding goal in the first half - an outstanding goal, wow. Conceded one as well, but I think after 45 minutes everybody knew it will not be easy for Munich; it’s possible, but will not be easy.

“How I see it is that is important information in a football game for an opponent, who were full of confidence before the game. We had to try to impress and we did that.

“The second half, I was really happy – not only because we scored two goals, but because we played football - how mature it was, how strong we looked, how good we defended.

“Bayern have so much quality, unbelievable. They are quick on the wings, strong everywhere, hard challenges and all that stuff, good in the last line, sensational goalkeeper, and we impressed them. That’s a massive thing for us.”

Any club Liverpool draw in the next round will be worried about advancing passed Klopp’s team to the semi-finals. Most of them are worried now just by the prospect of dealing with Sadio Mané and Virgil Van Dijk.

Nothing has been won yet and all of that. But make no mistake, the win against Bayern Munich is a great, big puffy feather in Liverpool’s cap. Roll on.