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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 Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 7:44 PM

    What would Calderon know ? . He said Zidane had rejected the offer last week ! Absolute chancer !

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    Mute Virgil Van Rock
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    Mar 12th 2019, 8:17 PM

    Zidane was blessed to have Ronaldo while manager. 99% of game’s were won by him alone over that 3 year success. Zidane won’t know how to rebuild that team to same nights. He needs to sort the Courtouis and wife issue first. Very messy and and unsightly affair all together. Zidane is a legend, Madrid are a toxic club.

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 8:17 PM

    @Virgil Van Rock: yawn … see you May 2020 ya mouth !

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    Mute Stephen Lyons
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    Mar 12th 2019, 8:33 PM

    @Limón Madrugada: Watch out for the parasite Limon

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    Mute David Weston
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    Mar 12th 2019, 8:40 PM

    @Limón Madrugada: surely you can get a room before then

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 9:18 PM

    @David Weston: surely you’ll find a better one liner by then

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    Mute David Weston
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    Mar 12th 2019, 9:38 PM

    @Limón Madrugada: for you pair ?Nah that one is about right

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    Mute Virgil Van Rock
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:04 PM

    @Limón Madrugada: Point proven Ronaldo drags Juve into last 8, just like last 3 year’s with Real, don’t know what the other guy is chomping at the bit for, parasite ??

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:31 PM

    @Virgil Van Rock: no ones denying Ronaldos effect . But your clinging to Courtois’ love life is tenuous . Maybe Liverpool should sign Ronaldo ..

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:52 PM

    @Virgil Van Rock: just wondering when you’ll change your identity , when Liverpool win … or when they lose … either way you’ll be someone else by next month

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    Mute Virgil Van Rock
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    Mar 13th 2019, 8:29 AM

    @Limón Madrugada: Lemon seriously would you Kop on you imbecile

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    Mute Drew Walsh
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    Mar 12th 2019, 8:09 PM

    100% spot on to not bring him. Legendary manager but think his time at the top is over the game has passed him by IMO. Be interesting to see him try and win a world cup with Portugal.

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:54 PM

    @Drew Walsh: Mourinho is a great manager for a tournament . But I think it’s not just a coincidence that why I try to type his name my spellcheck insists on correcting to ‘ mourning’

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    Mute Johnny O Flaherty
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    Mar 12th 2019, 8:17 PM

    Would’ve been fun to see him there again

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    Mute Martin Brennan
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:05 PM

    Who’d want to manage a guy like Ramos who cost his own team by cheating

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:11 PM

    @Martin Brennan: you do mean Sergio Ramos who has 4CL , 3 or 4 ligas , two euros , 1 World Cup 3 world club championships a couple of Copa del Reys ?? Nah he’s a loser

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    Mute Getard Lanslanger
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:36 PM

    @Limón Madrugada: a drug cheating loser

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 12th 2019, 10:49 PM

    @Getard Lanslanger: who happens to have loads of medals and no history of drugs , unlike for example Pep Guardiola …

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    Mute Stanley Baggins
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    Mar 13th 2019, 12:24 AM

    Jose won’t get a massive job like that again. A talented manager but one who’s ego outgrew the talent, and ended up becoming an insufferable bore

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