Jurgen Klopp has claimed that Liverpool ‘belong’ in the Champions League quarter finals.
A 5-0 aggregate win over Porto saw the Reds book their place in the last eight despite an underwhelming goalless draw in Tuesday’s return leg.
The Anfield club last graced Europe’s premier competition in the 2008/09 season in a period where they had reached two Champions League finals, winning one.
And Klopp believes his side’s return to the latter stages of the tournament is deserved.
He said: “I never had a time schedule in my mind.
“I never thought we have to be there. I don’t want to make it smaller than it is, don’t want to make it bigger.
“We belong there, it should not be a big surprise and next round will be very difficult.
“Seven other very good teams will be there as well, maybe four are there from England, doesn’t make it easier to be honest.
“We have a chance to go through to semis, that’s the tie.
“But take it step by step, its cool. We had this year first time the opportunity, now we are in, so I think we are in time.”