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Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool have already proved they belong among Europe’s elite as he declared: “Now we have to deliver again.”

The Reds boss has urged his side to embrace the opportunity facing them in Tuesday night’s crunch Champions League semi-final first leg with Roma at Anfield.

Klopp says there is no reason to feel pressure with Liverpool having already exceeded all expectations in the competition so far this term. Since topping their group, they have hammered both Porto and Manchester City in the knockout stages.

“We really think we deserve it - that’s really important for me,” he said.

“We didn’t come through with a lot of luck, like ‘wow, how did that happen?’

“Porto was a massive statement. Did we expect that before the game? Of course not. Who can expect 5-0 at Porto?

“Then you play City and win again 3-0. Wow. Everybody tells you that was always enough in the history of football, meaning if you don’t go through you are the biggest idiots in the world.

“It was so massive when we won the City leg. It was such a big step for us in the manner that we played the games. We all saw it, in the second half here and the first half there, staying in the game. That was all really brilliant and that’s what we have to deliver again and not think about if Rome is the easiest opponent.

“We are still here. That’s cool, let’s use that fantastic situation.”

Having come through as underdogs against Man City, Liverpool find themselves cast as firm favourites against Roma. Klopp has done his homework on Eusebio Di Francesco’s side and is wary of the threat they will pose.

“If anyone does not respect Roma enough I can not change that,” he said.

(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“Most people in the football world would have thought the last four would be Bayern, Barcelona, Real Madrid and City. Barcelona are not here because of Rome and City because of us.

“We both deserve to be here. Maybe a lot of people think the real final should be Real Madrid v Bayern Munich. That will not happen because they play in a semi, so one of us will go through. That is a big chance for both of us but a big job to do.

“We are both in a good moment. Anyone who watched Roma in the last few weeks can see they are flying with different line-ups. Their full squad is available. They made seven or eight changes in the last game and still won it comfortably.

“We really feel the opportunity. We need an atmosphere like City or better. It is a big thing. We came here with not a lot of expectation. People ask me if I feel pressure. No, I only feel opportunity. I am really happy to be here and to have another big night at Anfield. Now we play football.”

Mohamed Salah will lead the charge against his former club. The PFA Player of the Year will truly elevate himself into Anfield’s pantheon of greats if he can add European glory to his personal accolades.

“Yes, that is true but we knew that at the start of the season,” Klopp said.

“Now we are close. There is no pressure. We are in the semi-final. We are not the team that has to win it. We are the team that can win it. We always have wanted to win the next game and we have very often.

“It is absolutely clear that Mo sees what the boys are doing for him. You can’t score goals without having players to create the space or make the pass or cross.

“Mo has scored an outstanding number of goals which is the main reason for being PFA Player of the Year because the players know how special it is - to score is the most difficult thing.”

Much of the build up has focused on previous European meetings between the clubs. Liverpool won two of their five European Cups in the Eternal City, including the 1984 final against Roma on penalties.

However, Klopp insists all that history will count for little over the course of this tie. It’s time to write a new chapter.

“When was the final? ’84? Most of my players were not born then. Was Milly?” Klopp joked.

“Maybe Milly, I am not sure...”

James Milner, Liverpool’s vastly experienced vice-captain, who has equalled the Champions League record for eight assists in a season, is only 32.

“Oh, maybe he just looks older,” Klopp said.

(Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)

“I really like it but these things happened as the stories of those boys. I love that we go to Rome, a fantastic city and a beautiful stadium, the Stadio Olimpico - an historical place where you hear stories from 1,000 years ago.

“Yes, if it helps we will use it but I think the boys needs real things, not telling them the good old stories even though they are brilliant.

“You want to create your own history. That is what we have to do, not what we want to do. Rome is a fantastic team. I am really happy we are in the semis and can prove we are ready for it.”

Liverpool's attacking prowess has lit up this European campaign but Klopp admits the defensive resilience they showed against Man City will also be crucial if they are going to secure their passage to Kiev.

"This is a really enthusiastic team. In a good moment, they jump and that’s really good to see," he said.

"But on the other hand that’s why the two Man City games were really special. We dealt with very difficult circumstances in the two halves here and there on a high level. That brought us to the semis, not that we can score one, two, three in a row.

"In the moments when we are not in charge of the game, we are still in the game, that’s a very important thing and that helped us massively.

"We all feel the same excitement. We all came here together. I won't make the pressure higher and tell them it’s the only chance you ever have in your life so use it. Would you love to hear that before a game?

"I am already for the second time in the semi-finals and if I go, I will be the second time in the final. That’s pretty rare.

"City are a fantastic side but out of the way, like Barcelona. It means Rome and Liverpool and yes, we can beat them.

"Unfortunately, they can beat us as well but it’s not fixed before the game. Let’s go and play our best football and see what happens. We can make things big afterwards, but before it doesn’t really help."