Jurgen Klopp sends message to old club Borussia Dortmund ahead of title showdown

Edin Terzic’s side can claim the Meisterschale for the first time since 2012 – when Klopp presided over back-to-back title wins – if they beat Mainz at home on Saturday afternoon.

Bayern, who were stunned by RB Leipzig last time out and now face Cologne, are two points further back but their vastly superior goal difference means a draw would not be enough for Dortmund.

Klopp played most of his career at Mainz and it was also his first job in management but this is a rare instance where he will not be sitting on the fence when his two former clubs face off, with the Liverpool manager desperate for Dortmund to claim the title.

Asked if he had been following the Bundesliga title race, Klopp replied: ‘Yeah – I’m not dead! I’m alive, of course [I’m following it].

‘I’m a bit nervous as well to be honest. I can say in this case that I would be happy if Dortmund wins against Mainz for once, no problem.

‘It would have been a bit more tricky if Mainz had won their last game, then I think they would have had a chance to qualify for Europe but I think that’s off the table.

‘Yes, I hope Dortmund will win. I think it’s been long enough. I know Edin very well, I know a lot of people very well at Dortmund. We were always in contact and we are now in contact.

‘I know what it would mean to the city, and in general. I can imagine Bayern sees it differently, but it’s not fun if the same team always becomes the champion.

‘And we all know Bayern will strike back next year anyway, so if there’s a gap they [Dortmund] have to run through it.

‘I really hope [they do it]. There were ups and downs, but it looks like they can do it. But nobody thinks they did it already there.

‘If I was in the chair it would be the most intense period of your life, the day before a game like this when everybody is planning the party and stuff like this, and you have to say, “Yeah, but don’t bother me with this”. It’s really tricky.

‘So it’s a big one and I just hope they can get through it. It would be massive.’

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