Jurgen Klopp's love-hate relationship with FC Barcelona over the years

Jurgen Klopp has is looking forward to a clash with FC Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Following his side's victory over Porto last night, the German coach said this: "It’s so wonderful that you play with Liverpool against Barcelona in a European semi-final, that itself is a wonderful message and now let’s try to do the best and we’ll see what happens."

"For them [Coutinho and Suarez], for these two boys, it’s very special. For us, it’s special. They are both Liverpool legends, that’s brilliant."

Klopp was also in awe of the task at hand in the next set of European fixtures - and stopping Lionel Messi. "Thank God I don’t have to think about that tonight. I have a few nights. No one has so far managed it but we will try. We have a few jobs before that."

Here are some of his previous comments about Barça over the years.

FIRST ATTACK ON BARÇA

This is what Klopp said about Tata Martino's Barça side: "If Barcelona of the last four years had been the first team I'd seen when I was four years ago, easily winning matches 5-0 or 6-0, I'd have played tennis instead. I'm sorry, but that isn't enough for me. What I like about football is that anything can happen and any team could win any match."  

KLOPP REJECTED TALK OF A MOVE TO BARÇA

A few months later, in April 2014, Klopp shut down rumours linking him with the hotseat at the Camp Nou. "No one needs to worry about that happening," he told reporters. "Everyone is in love with this club and the way we do things here." Klopp, who had a contract until 2017 with Dortmund, signed for Liverpool in 2015.

He clashed again with Barça when they swooped for Philippe Coutinho. In the summer of 2017, the coach refused to let the Brazilian leave the club. "We've said no. I think they'll offer us a Happy Meal from McDonalds tomorrow and they've going to give us a toy."

Six months later and Klopp gave in to the player's desire to move. "What can I say about what they've done? It's always the same. This year it was Phil and the next year it'll be someone else." He also said that at Barça, Coutinho would be just another member at the squad and if he stayed at Liverpool, he'd be handed a statue.

HE ENJOYED ROMA'S VICTORY

Klopp gained a small measure of revenge when he found out Roma had eliminated Barça from the Champions League. "I was walking up the stars and someone told me. I thought it was a joke!"

"It isn't because I don't respect Roma because they are a fantastic team. I just wasn't expecting that but I knew it was possible." Klopp finished his comments by adding: "They lost Salah and are in the semi-finals, that's something huge."

IN PRAISE OF BARCELONA

However not every word from Klopp towards Barça has been negative. In fact, he showed his Dortmund team a picture of Guardiola's dream team (2008-2012) as they celebrated a goal.

"I don't show videos because we aren't copying their style, but yes I did show them a photo of the celebrations for their 5,868th goal as if they'd never scored before. That is what you must feel until the day you die."

KLOPP has only taken one SELFIE: WITH MESSI

At a charity event, Klopp was asked who his favourite player was. After talking about his father and admiration for players such as Pele, he made an interesting revelation. "I only have one selfie on my phone.. and it's with Messi. And Cristiano was in the same room!"