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Jurgen Klopp celebrates the victory over Bayern.

'Liverpool are back where they belong'

Sinking their fellow five-time European champions Bayern Munich puts the Reds firmly back among Europe’s elite, says Jurgen Klopp/

JURGEN KLOPP BELIEVES Liverpool proved they are back where they belong as a European force to be reckoned with after his side dispatched Bayern Munich 3-1 to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

Sadio Mane broke the deadlock in the tie, following a goalless first leg on Merseyside, with a brilliant solo effort at the Allianz Arena.

Joel Matip’s own goal levelled matters before half-time but Liverpool kept their illustrious hosts at arm’s length throughout the second period, when Virgil van Dijk restored their lead before Mane headed his second of the game.

Klopp helmed a raucous run to the Champions League final last season, where the Reds came up short against Real Madrid, and he felt claiming the scalp of their fellow five-time champions confirms the Anfield club are back at Europe’s top table.

“Scoring three here is really difficult – actually we scored four because we scored the other one as well!” he told a post-match news conference.

“It’s a big, big step for us. We will see what we can do with it but it’s a fantastic sign, I love it.

“We again set a mark for this wonderful club, that we really are back on the landscape of international top football.

“We all think that’s where this club belongs and tonight we proved it at least a little bit. I’m really happy about the result. I knew we had a chance and the boys made it happen.”

Van Dijk sat out the first leg through suspension and, once again, proved an influential presence on his return.

“What can I say – I can write a book about his skills, about his strengths, what a fantastic person he is,” Klopp said. “So young, so strong, already so mature.

“Virg knows that he can play better than he did, especially in the second half, we played as good as is necessary and possible in a game like this.

“You have to stay in a game, be really stable and have answers to all the questions, change things, use different tools.

“We had better passing in the second half, we had so many good football moments in the second half and I like that we developed into the game.

“It’s a difficult place to come, not too many teams have wins on their card at Munich.”

Klopp enjoyed many memorable battles at the Allianz Arena as Borussia Dortmund boss, often coming off on the losing side, but he insisted revenge did not figure in his emotions after an accomplished job well done.

“I’m not like this. It’s not sweeter for me because it’s Bayern. It does not bring back for me the other results from when we played them and we lost,” he added.

“I wanted to win for Liverpool, not to beat Bayern. That doesn’t bring me anything. It’s just a good moment for Liverpool, so let’s enjoy that.”

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    Mute Glenbower
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    Jun 25th 2020, 11:46 AM

    Barry Daly was particularly unlucky with injuries. A very effective try-scorer.

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    Mute Barra Mac An Bhaird
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    Jun 25th 2020, 2:14 PM

    @Glenbower: would he be worth a shot by Connacht? Seriously depleted in the back 3

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    Mute hypebeast
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    Jun 25th 2020, 2:44 PM

    @Barra Mac An Bhaird: yes I think he’s a class player annoyed that leinster did not keep was extremely sharp before his injury.

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    Mute Stephen Rogan
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    Jun 25th 2020, 3:48 PM

    @hypebeast: Totally agree. Great skillset and excellent finisher; I don’t remember him ever making a significant mistake. I prefer him to Kelleher in the back 3. He’d be a very good addition to the Connacht squad.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Jun 25th 2020, 5:58 PM

    @Barra Mac An Bhaird: I have a feeling he may be retiring due to injuries

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    Mute Sam Harms
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    Jun 25th 2020, 11:46 AM

    Sad to see Barry Daly is leaving

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Jun 25th 2020, 11:39 AM

    That’s remarkable work

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    Mute #JUSTICE4NOEL
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    Jun 25th 2020, 11:32 AM

    New contracts for Leavy, connors and VDF…..

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Jun 25th 2020, 12:59 PM

    @#JUSTICE4NOEL: Maybe now that will put to bed any notions of other provinces scrounging around looking for one of them!

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    Mute Kevin
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    Jun 25th 2020, 12:17 PM

    That’s a great mornings business. Delighted Fardy is getting another contract. He brings so much to Leinster. Great to see all the 7’s staying too though Leo has some selection headaches now.

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    Mute Andy Dwyer
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    Jun 25th 2020, 12:50 PM

    @Kevin: Great to see Fardy stay. A real leader. We might see him in a coaching role in 2 years. 5 players promoted from the academy is a great return also.

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    Mute Umpaloompa
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    Jun 25th 2020, 11:59 AM

    Great bit of business, always good to see the academy lads getting senior contracts. Nice to see all the 7s are staying as well as Fardy.

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Jun 25th 2020, 1:01 PM

    Gutted for Barry Daly. Fastest man in the squad and hugely prolific scorer. Desperately unlucky with injuries, it’s such a shame. Schmidt even had called him into camp at one point.

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    Mute Pretty Ladee
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    Jun 25th 2020, 11:52 AM

    Any of these players interested in a move West, Connacht getting weaker each year since 2016.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Jun 25th 2020, 1:18 PM

    @Pretty Ladee: 2 of the players leaving are going west.

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    Mute Pretty Ladee
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    Jun 25th 2020, 1:19 PM

    @Chris Mc: connacht need proven professionals not kids,

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    Mute Kohn Jeenan
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    Jun 25th 2020, 1:32 PM

    @Pretty Ladee: didn’t qualify for the Heineken cup 2 years in a row and followed that up by qualifying the next 2 years in a row, doesnt really sound like a decline ?

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    Mute Pretty Ladee
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    Jun 25th 2020, 3:20 PM

    @Kohn Jeenan: look at this years departures, compared to signings, hardly an achievement qualifying for the heineken cup

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Jun 25th 2020, 5:34 PM

    @Pretty Ladee: there’s hardly a single player to come through the leinster academy that’s not ready for the pro 14

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    Mute Kohn Jeenan
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    Jun 25th 2020, 5:54 PM

    @Pretty Ladee: we’ve qualified on our own merit for the Heineken cup maybe a few times ever so I’m not sure how you can say it’s not an achievement, departures is kind of worrying but have to presume there’s some plan

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    Mute Ro Molloy
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    Jun 26th 2020, 1:58 PM

    @Pretty Ladee: Aungier is a gem of a player and a big loss to Leinster. He will soon be a favourate in the Sportsground

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    Mute Conor Mulloy
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    Jun 25th 2020, 11:52 AM

    With Joe Tomane departing, I presume Leinster have room to sign another non Irish player, obviously not possible with the current economic situation.
    Amazing to think that with Leinster’s academy, they will need nor miss this opportunity!

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Jun 25th 2020, 12:35 PM

    @Conor Mulloy: a none irish loose head might be the only requirement as healy will be away and is not getting any younger. Saying that it’s a great opportunity for the younger lads to step up.

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Jun 25th 2020, 1:04 PM

    @Chris Mc: A NIQ loosehead is a good shout. That said, Dooley had upped his game pre-COVID19 and was playing very well.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Jun 25th 2020, 1:17 PM

    @Carmine Lorenzo: agree Dooley has stepped up but say going into a HC final and healy was injured dooley and Byrne doesn’t sound as good as healy and mcgrath

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Jun 25th 2020, 1:49 PM

    @Chris Mc: Nope it definitely does not, a certain drop off there. I guess we’ll find out soon enough whether Milne has what it takes.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Jun 25th 2020, 2:08 PM

    @Carmine Lorenzo: if Leo trusts dooley Byrne and milne that’ll do for me.

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    Mute john flynn
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    Jun 25th 2020, 11:39 AM

    Def jealous of that

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    Mute Mark Smith
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    Jun 25th 2020, 1:01 PM

    Fantastic strength in depth and who would not want to sign on when the team is on the crest of a wave

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    Mute Niall Farren
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    Jun 25th 2020, 3:42 PM

    Yeah v disappointed for Daly, He’s a VG player when fit

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    Mute Damien Flanagan
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    Jun 25th 2020, 2:33 PM

    Great business by leinster selection ain’t easy delighted for Vardy

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Jun 25th 2020, 1:00 PM

    Are we becoming very forward heavy compared to backs. (with ferg and Rob) added to the list that moved on today

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