Liverpool vs. Borussia Dortmund: Jurgen Klopp's Key Pre-Match Presser Comments

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has called on Reds players and fans to create the best atmosphere of his tenure for Thursday's UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg against Borussia Dortmund at Anfield.

The Merseyside outfit have a slight advantage going into the clash after they claimed a crucial away goal in last week's 1-1 draw at Signal Iduna Park.

However, Dortmund are a top-quality side—they are unbeaten in 2016—and Klopp said the atmosphere needs to be even better than it was for the home leg in the last-16 tie against Manchester United, per the Liverpool Echo's Neil Jones:

"

Hopefully [the atmosphere will be] something I have never had until now.

We had wonderful atmospheres, but best for sure was [United]. This is the level we have to jump over.

I don’t like atmospheres when they don’t get into the game. We have to do our job and be part of the atmosphere, show that we know what it is about.

"

Divock Origi was the goalscorer for Liverpool in Germany, and the Belgian netted twice in a 4-1 victory over Stoke City at the weekend to make a claim for a starting spot against BVB.

However, star striker Daniel Sturridge also netted against the Potters, and Klopp is aware of how crucial his decision on strikers is for Thursday, per the Times' Tony Barrett:

The German manager confirmed he has not yet made a decision on who will start, whether they both play together or one is on the bench, per the Echo's James Pearce:

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe and Dean Jones are both expecting a difficult night's work for Liverpool against Klopp's former side:

Liverpool's away goal could prove vital, but Klopp is aware that it will be very difficult to prevent Dortmund—a side with attacking stars like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Marco Reus—from claiming one of their own at Anfield, per Jones:

"

Dortmund can score goals anywhere in the world. You can’t just try to keep the clean sheet. Maybe after 85-89 minutes the away goal will be relevant, but not earlier. It’s an open game.

The crowd is more of an advantage than the away goal.

Only at 0-0 is it an advantage. If we win, we don’t need it.

This is a new start. We know about the quality of Dortmund. Now they know a little bit more about our qualities. We will see who handles it better.

"

Many expected Dortmund to blow Liverpool away in the first leg given that Thomas Tuchel's side are currently second in the Bundesliga while the Reds are eighth in the Premier League.

Liverpool put in a dedicated performance to keep the tie very much alive, but Klopp insisted his side can play better in the second leg while acknowledging Dortmund also have more to give, per Pearce:

With a semi-final spot up for grabs and Klopp going up against his old club in his new home, it is unlikely to be difficult to get all the players and fans motivated for Thursday's clash.

Klopp has not been burdened with any new fitness concerns ahead of the clash, a relief for all involved, per ESPN FC's Ben Dinnery:

Liverpool will have to execute their game plan perfectly if they are to advance at Dortmund's expense on Thursday, but the fact it is at Anfield most certainly gives them an advantage, especially if the fans heed Klopp's call.