After toppling Roma, Reds shift focus to Real
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Liverpool manager Klopp promises fireworks in the May 26 final against Los Blancos at Kiev after beating the Italian side 76 on aggregate
ROME: Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp has said his team will be “on fire” for the Champions League final in Kiev as they look to stop an experience Real Madrid side from winning a third consecutive European title.
The Merseyside club will feature in their eighth European Cup final on May 26 after beating AS Roma 7-6 on aggregate in the semifinal on Wednesday.
It hands Liverpool an opportunity to end their six-year trophy drought and lift their first piece of silverware under Klopp’s management, having lost the finals of the League Cup and Europa League in 2016.
“We were in a League Cup final and didn’t win it,” Klopp said.
“People don’t tell me in the street since then: ‘Thank you for bringing us to the final.’ We were in the Europa League final too. Nobody tells me thank you. I see no trophies after these games. They don’t hang silver medals at Melwood. That’s a pity, but that’s the game. There’s still a job to do.”
Madrid, who overcame Bayern Munich in the other semi-final, return to the final for the fourth time in last five years.
Zinedine Zidane’s side have retained a core group of players including Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric and Karim Benzema, who have all been involved in lifting their last three European titles in 2014, 2016 and 2017. “You cannot be more experienced in this competition than Real Madrid,” the German manager added.
“I think 80 per cent of their team played all these finals. They are four times in the last five years and still together. They are experienced, we are not, but we will be really on fire.”
Liverpool were far from their devastating attacking best, however, and a nervy defensive display saw them lose their first match in this season’s competition, despite cruising in the first half having twice taken the lead.
Liverpool’s Sadio Mane was their most potent attacking threat and put them ahead after nine minutes, but a bizarre own goal by James Milner levelled for Roma. A Georginio Wijnaldum header put Liverpool back in departure would weaken Liverpool, they have proved everyone wrong, thanks to the exploits of (in pic), Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
the trio combined well to run riot upfront. They have scored 29 goals among them in the Champions League which made them the highest scoring trio for a club in a single campaign, overtaking Real Madrid’s Crisitano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, who scored 28 goals in 2013-14.
Liverpool decided to play their natural game against Roma, attacking at every opportunity and the high press got them two early goals which finally proved to be crucial.
defensive errors which were the result of Liverpool players pressurising Roma defenders, not allowing them time to look around to find a pass. But, what will concern Klopp going into the final is that they have conceded goals easily throughout the season.
of restoring Liverpool to their former glory, Juergen Klopp joined the Reds three years ago to experience unforgettable nights like this. By leading Liverpool to their eighth European Cup final, Klopp confirmed his reputation as a revolutionary with a unique skill for galvanising moribund teams.
Pep Guardiola in the quarters, Klopp — drawing on the knowledge from leading Dortmund to the 2013 final — out-classed Roma’s Eusebio Di Francesco so emphatically in the first leg that even Roma's late goal blitz in the return wasn't enough to stop the Reds from setting up a repeat of the 1981 final.
front but Roma, who overturned a three-goal deficit to beat Barcelona in the last round, were given renewed belief when Edin Dzeko fired past Loris Karius early in the second half.
Nainggolan drilled in from distance after 86 minutes to make it 3-2 and smashed home from the spot but it was too late for the Italian side who lost the first leg of the semifinal 5-2 in Liverpool.
“We are deserved finalists 100 per cent,” said Klopp. “You don’t come without luck. We needed it only one time tonight. The boys deserve it, the character they showed, the football they showed — it was just crazy.” Liverpool 2017/18 Barcelona 1999/00 Real Madrid 2013/14 Man United 2002/03 Real Madrid 2016/17 *Liverpool had scored six goals against Hoffenheim in the play-offs European Cup/champio ns League final Liverpool have made it to, which is three more than any other English side. goals were scored in Wednesday night’s tie which equals the Champions
League record set in 2008/09 when Bayern Munich recorded a 12-1 win over Sporting. semifinal for most of the boys — it's completely normal that you have to keep your nerve in situations like this. We deserve it 100 per cent.”
Liverpool manager away goals Liverpool have scored this season which makes them only the second team to score that many goals in a single campaign after Real Madrid did so in 2013-14. Milner 15-og Dzeko 52 Nainggolan 86, 90+4-p Mane 9 Wijnaldum 25