Jurgen Klopp believes Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez are Liverpool legends and cannot wait for a “very special” Anfield reunion with the pair.
Coutinho and Suarez will return to their former stomping ground for the first time in a competitive match after the Reds secured a Champions League semi-final berth against Barcelona.
Suarez left for Camp Nou for £70million in the summer of 2014 while Coutinho made the same switch in January 2018 for £142m.
Suarez made the move to Spain in 2014 after three-and-a-half spectacular seasons on Merseyside , the Uruguayan helped Barca to an historic fifth European title in his debut campaign.
In 2016, following more success, Barcelona met Liverpool at Wembley for a pre-season showdown.
The Reds dismantled the La Liga champions 4-0 in front of a sold-out stadium.
Speaking ahead of the fixture on the prospect of facing Liverpool for the first time since his departure, Suarez professed his respect for his former club and admitted his relief the game was a friendly one.
The now 32-year-old told: “It’s a really nice moment for the supporters. I have some friends there and I think it’s a really good moment to come back to play against Liverpool.
“I think for players when you play in front of 90,000 people, it’s a dream.
“Liverpool’s support is one of the best in the world and I think they are excited for the game to see great players on the pitch.
“Everybody knows Liverpool is so important in my life, in my career, and my family as well. My second child was born there and I had a really good moment there. I think it’s a nice moment for me.
“It’s important for this game that it’s a friendly game because if it was in the Champions League or a really good tournament, it’d be difficult to play against Liverpool. But a friendly game is to enjoy.”
The first leg will take place in Spain on Wednesday, May 1 before the Anfield return six days later.
And Klopp is relishing the prospect of locking horns with the former Kop favourites.
“For these two boys it is very special,” he said, speaking to Viasport Football. “For us it is very special. They are both Liverpool legends. It’s brilliant.
“But I don’t think it’s going to be a friendly match! They have to fight and work and we will do as well.
“We play Barcelona and it’s maybe not too easy but were still there.
“If you have good players like we have, then it can work. I’m really proud of what the boys did again.
“That you play for Liverpool in a semi-final against Barcelona , that itself sends out a wonderful message. Now let’s try to do our best and see what happens.”
Liverpool’s 4-1 win in Porto on Wednesday night secured a 6-1 aggregate triumph and extended their unbeaten run to 17 games with an eighth successive victory.
And asked what has changed for the Reds this year, Klopp replied: “The boys did that. We have worked together for a while.
“We needed to be more mature, you cannot ask for it you have to work for it.
“The boys are at a good age and they are making their own experiences especially in this competition after what they did last season.”