Klopp: "I wouldn't want to be Marcelino for even one second"

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp said tonight's Europa League semi-final against Villarreal had "turned out even better than I expected" as his side book their place in the final after a 3-1 aggregate win. Klopp did respond to the comments made by visiting team coach Marcelino - the Asturian coach criticized the German for his enthusiastic goal celebrations and for the run-ins they had during the game.

"I am not a native [English] speaker so I don't have the words for this kind of performance - maybe you can find a few. It's a real job to find words for this game... When we arrived at the stadium and drove through the roads... that was nice. Maybe there was a little bit too much smoke - we couldn't see, so next time please do a little less of this", Klopp told reporters.

Huge win: "There are not enough words for this. I don’t want to make it too big, it’s only football I know, but it is a moment for the whole of Liverpool world and all the fans around the world. It exceeded all of my expectations by a long way. It was a nice match to watch, nice to be part of it and scoring in the opening minutes was perfect. We almost couldn't find our way to Anfield for the smoke from the flares".

Scuffles with Marcelino: "I wouldn't want to be him for even one second of my life; and I repeat, he's a great coach".

Dream start: "The first 30 minutes were perfect, we played a very intense game. We lost a little patience by the break but got it right in the second half. We played with a lot of emotion and power but at the same time we were very patient. In the second half it was back to our plan, very emotional, vert smart - wonderful goals, well deserved".

Ovation from the stands: "Ah that's not what I want to do. I heard after the game that the crowd sang my name but please, no one has to sing my name - I am only part of the team and I love football for being part of the team. It was nice - maybe I'll be used to it when I'm 50...  I don't want to single myself out in that regard. It's the players who should feel the emotion from the fans".

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Liverpool's resurrection: "When I first came here I thought it was a difficult team but now I am really happy and settled. I like that in football. As a coach, when you live a night like tonight's it's amazing because it's not easy, this is a great team".

Villarreal coach Marcelino had said just moments bfore: "Klopp is how he is, a great coach... but I won't say anything about the other side of him. I wouldn't like to be like that - at least not in victory". There was also words exchanged during the match: "Shut your gob!", the German yelled when Marcelino was protesting a problematic incident.