Klopp to Turk it as Red
SUPER FACTS BEHIND THE BIG CLASH
TODAY’S game will be the first all-English Super Cup meeting.
Five of the last six finals have been won by the Champions League winners, the exception being Atletico Madrid beating Real Madrid 4-2 in 2018. (inset) This will be the first meeting between Liverpool and Chelsea in Europe since April 2009 in the Champions League. They drew 4-4 at Stamford Bridge in the quarter-final second leg with Chelsea going through 7-5 on aggregate. Liverpool have won only one of their last six matches against Chelsea in all competitions – drawing three and losing two – winning the last game in April 2-0 thanks to goals from Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah. Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has started in two Super Cup finals – but has not enjoyed them much. The Blues lost 4-1 against Atletico Madrid in 2012 and 5-4 on penalties against Bayern Munich in the following year’s clash. unfortunately we are not the same, we are now in the team 2019-20 and that is a pretty good one as well.
“I hope we can make this a special place for ourselves.”
Tonight’s game is at Vodafone Park but this season’s Champions League final is at the same Ataturk Stadium Rafa Benitez’s side came back from 3-0 down at half-time to beat AC Milan on penalties.
Klopp added: “About next year and the final? I have no clue about that.
“If you would have asked me after Kiev last year in the first pre-season games if I thought we would be in the final again I would have probably said ‘I don’t think so’.
“But we were there so if there is any chance we will try, but if not someone else will be there.”
Dejan Lovren could be heading to Roma before the transfer window closes in Italy.
The Reds are in talks with the Serie A club and will allow the defender to leave if their £15m valuation is met.
Lovren did not travel to Istanbul with his teammates yesterday with Klopp saying he is ill.