Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp thanked Roma for Mohamed Salah and noted two similarities with Eusebio Di Francesco – glasses and ‘a bad shave’
Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final first leg at home to Roma, Klopp also ruled out ever coaching in Italy due to his poor grasp of the language.
“Salah against his former club? It’s pretty normal. Players changes clubs and managers change clubs a lot,” began the German at his Press confeence.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp thanked Roma for Mohamed Salah and noted two similarities with Eusebio Di Francesco – glasses and ‘a bad shave’
Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final first leg at home to Roma, Klopp also ruled out ever coaching in Italy due to his poor grasp of the language.
“Salah against his former club? It’s pretty normal. Players changes clubs and managers change clubs a lot,” began the German at his Press confeence.
“It’s quite special though because he knows a lot more about them than usual. He knows all about them and I am sure he is following their season all season.
“He became the player we have now in Rome, they were all part of his development. We are all professionals though and I am sure Italian defenders are famous for not having friendly games.
“Similarities with Di Francesco? We both wear glasses! And we have a bad shave, I think…
“We have a similar way to the big clubs, he started with smaller clubs and made his way. Roma’s style of play? I don’t know exactly. They have good organisation, I love that too.
“Maybe there are a few, but that doesn’t make life easier for us. I knew it would be difficult.
“An Italian club? It makes no sense for them, I can only order spaghetti in an Italian restaurant! I won’t be there in the next four years, for sure.
“I’m not interested in what people think about the quarter-finals and I guess a lot people thought it would be Barcelona v Manchester City.
“An Italian club? It makes no sense for them, I can only order spaghetti in an Italian restaurant!”
“Both teams deserve to be here. Someone told me Roma had beaten Barcelona 3-0 and I thought it was not possible.
“Maybe our situations are similar but we both have big challenges and big competition in our Leagues.
“It is our job to show our best. It is what we try to do constantly. We both have the chance to go to the final and that is pressure, but it is possible and that is nice.
“If it is possible, let’s try everything to do it. If anyone thinks we are underdogs, who cares? I watch quite a lot of Italian football to be honest. I know Edin Dzeko from Germany and I am not surprised by Roma.
“The quality in their team and squad is a lot. They made seven or eight changes from the last game, so that is a big advantage for them.
“They have a full squad available and all of them are good. They have clear options up front and in midfield, they all look settled, fit and experienced.
“For them, like us, semi-finals are a big thing. Which Roma player would I take? I will not answer that question!”