Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has warned against any complacency after his side were drawn against Roma in the Champions League semi-finals.
The Italians sit fourth in Serie A and, despite having eliminated Barcelona with a stunning comeback on Tuesday night, would have been seen as more favourable opponents than holders Real Madrid and five-time winners Bayern Munich, who meet in the other last-four clash.
"Because I knew I'd have to say something after it, I tried to think about what I feel, but it was not that I thought 'Thank God not Bayern, thank God not Real Madrid, yippee Roma' or the other way around," Klopp told the club's official website.
"It is just the draw and I know it is very exciting, but it is good because the most important news is we are still in the competition.
#ChampionsLeague semi-final dates confirmed
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) April 13, 2018
April 24 Liverpool v Roma
April 25 Bayern v Real Madrid*
May 1 Real Madrid v Bayern
May 2 Roma v Liverpool*
* Live on @RTE2
"Whichever opponent we would have got, I would have said there is a chance because it is football - so there is a chance against Roma.
"But if anybody think this is the easiest draw then I cannot help this person; they obviously didn't see both games against Barcelona."
He added: "From an excitement point of view, it's really cool because I've never played in Rome. It's a beautiful city for sure, but we are not there for sightseeing."
Klopp is also adamant that in-form forward Mohamed Salah will still be at Anfield next season.
The 25-year-old Egyptian scored his 39th goal of an extraordinary first campaign on Merseyside against Manchester City on Tuesday to help set up a Champions League semi-final clash with his old club Roma.
It is less than a year since Salah joined the Reds in a deal worth up to £34.3million that now looks like a bargain, with his form likely to have alerted all of Europe's biggest clubs.
Liverpool fans might fear Salah could be lured away, having seen Fernando Torres, Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho all leave after impressing in their colours.
Yet Klopp told German publication Bild that he was "not worried" about Salah departing and he reemphasised that point in his press conference on Thursday.
"It's not a situation that I would even think about it," Klopp said of a possible move.
"Mo Salah came in not a full year ago - nine months (ago) he came in to make the next step in his career, and he did it. To come to Liverpool, he had different options and he wanted to come here.
"We always start talking after a year. It's that thing - will he leave or whatever? I don't think about it. It was again in a German interview, he asked me pretty much the same question and I said, 'Yes, I am confident'. I don't think, I know he will be here. But that's all.
"It's only because people always have something to write, something to talk about. On the other side we don't want to change all the time.
"We have a big chance here to create something for the future. In the moment we have to deliver performances, collecting points, winning.
"But the age group of the team is really good. They are still young and full of potential. My impression is they are all excited about being in this group."
Salah on Friday became the first player in Premier League history to win the player of the month award three times in one season.
On the same day, the Reds learned that Roma stand between them and a place in the Champions League final on May 26, by which point Klopp could have two of his injured players available again.
It had been feared that a back injury picked up last month could end German midfielder Emre Can's season, and possibly his Liverpool career given his deal is up in the summer.
Yet Klopp said on Friday: "I know I said in the German interview, they asked me, 'Season over'? And in that moment it was like, 'Yeah, probably'. But it's not that true any more. That's good news."
On Adam Lallana, who has a muscle problem, Klopp added: "It's similar. It will be close that he can come back.
"I don't want to close the door for the season - how can I? There's at least a little bit of hope." 131611
We’ll be opponents for 180 minutes, but whatever happens we’ll remain friends for life. Looking forward to seeing you again, @22mosalah! 👋#ASRoma #UCL #RomaLiverpool pic.twitter.com/eo0Rm4VWW9
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) April 13, 2018
The tie against Roma will also bring back memories of Liverpool's fourth European Cup triumph in 1984.
The Reds won 4-2 on penalties after the match at Roma's Stadio Olimpico finished 1-1 after extra-time.
Roma sporting director Monchi believes the tie also offers the Italians hope of progress.
"It feels like a great opportunity to chase the joy we were not able to experience so many years ago, but of course it will be difficult because Liverpool are an extremely strong side," he said on the club's official Twitter page.
"We need to think about ourselves and try to reproduce what we were able to show against Barcelona."
