LIVERPOOL’S RETURN TO EUROPEAN FOOTBALL'S PINNACLE
LIVERPOOL were two thousand kilometres away from Kiev - and a world away from the bitter emotions of that night 12 months ago - as they returned to European football's pinnacle.
In the heat of Madrid, Liverpool and manager Jurgen Klopp savoured the moment they had craved since they left
Ukraine beaten by Real Madrid, undermined by an early injury to Mohamed Salah and the performance of their accidentprone goalkeeper Loris Karius.
The game may not have touched the heights but this was a night for Klopp and his players to produce, to finally get o er the line
Reds fans travelled in their thousands and packed entire streets around the Spanish capital's Plaza Mayor and the Cibeles Fountain, where one year ago a celebrating Real Madrid had paraded the trophy Klopp and his players wanted so badly. There was almost a sense of destiny this time around, especially after the miraculous 4-0 turnaround against Barcelona in the semifinal and so it pro ed as lopp finally claimed his first trophy as Liverpool manager and this outstanding group of players received just reward for a magnificent season.
And at the heart of Liverpool's sixth victory in this competition were two ey figures, one who was robbed of the chance to make his mark in Kiev and another brought to solve the problem that left them so damaged in this same game last year.
Salah, injured in an early tangle with Sergio Ramos, put Liverpool on the road to their sixth win in this tournament with a contentious early penalty, while goalkeeper Alisson cut a contrasting figure to arius safe, assured and outstanding when Spurs threatened a second-half equaliser.
As the vast red wave of Liverpool supporters inside the magnificent anda Metropolitano Stadium and the thousands who went in search of television screens in the city knew, there was a lot on the line here. Klopp knew he had to lay hands on silverware, not to cement his reputation, but simply because eventually all outstanding work must be backed up with tangible success - something he has now done in spectacular fashion by lifting European football's most prestigious trophy.
Liverpool's players knew they needed this victory, not simply
Klopp knew he had to lay hands on silverware, not to cement his reputation, but simply because eventually all outstanding work must be backed up with tangible success.
as redemption for Kiev but to have something to show for a brilliant season in which they lost only one league game but still finished second behind Manchester City in the title race.
There would have been plenty of "we go again" talk had this night gone against Liverpool but the disappointment of walking away empty-handed after nine months of sustained brilliance would have been almost immeasurable.
Instead, Liverpool are back on top of the European pile and the famous old trophy is returning to nfield for the si th time, ma ing them the third most successful club in this competition behind Real Madrid and AC Milan.
Liverpool's performance in this match will not linger in the memory, substitute and talisman Divock Origi wrapping up the win with a late second goal, but the achievement will last forever.
his Champions eague final was a poor one. Maybe it was the three-week break between the end of the Premier League season and this showpiece. aybe it was the sti ing heat and humidity that sapped the energy of two teams normally o er owing with that commodity. It was error-strewn and lacklustre in large parts.
It will not say that in the history books though - they will simply record that Liverpool were the cream of European football once again.
Klopp has built a Liverpool team to last, with an outstanding goalkeeper in Alisson, two of urope s finest full bac s in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson, and the man many rate as the world s finest central defender in Virgil van Dijk. Liverpool's front three of Sadio Mane, Salah and Roberto Firmino stand comparison with the best in this potent mixture of youth, experience and the highest quality. The game may not have touched the heights but this was a night for Klopp and his players to produce, to finally get over the line. The job was done and the prize was claimed in the shape of the trophy they call “Old Big Ears.”