Klopp says hurting Liverpool 'will come again' as Real Madrid celebrate in Paris

By Sports Desk May 28, 2022

Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool's players were hurting after their Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid, but declared the Reds "will come again" after the narrow reverse in Paris.

Klopp added next year's final in Istanbul was already a target, advising supporters: "Book the hotel!"

A 1-0 loss to Madrid at the Stade de France meant Liverpool were left with FA Cup and EFL Cup triumphs to show for a season in which they threatened an unprecedented quadruple.

Manchester City denied them the Premier League title on the competition's dramatic final day last Sunday, and it was Champions League specialists Madrid who toppled them on Saturday to claim their 14th European crown, with Vinicius Junior netting a second-half winner.

"Everyone in the dressing room, nobody feels it was a great season at the moment," Klopp told BT Sport after the loss. "We probably need a few minutes for that, maybe hours."

He said two decisions had gone against Liverpool by "the smallest margin possible", but did not specify which incidents he was referring to.

"We played a good game, not the perfect game," Klopp added. "We had a lot of shots but not the clearest, only three or so where [Thibaut] Courtois made top saves.

"Then we conceded a goal... Vinicius was there and that was it."

Klopp said Liverpool tried "absolutely everything" after he had told his players to "be more brave in the second half."

Vinicius struck just before the hour mark, and Liverpool huffed and puffed but were not at their best as Madrid repelled the threat of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, with Courtois outstanding as the last line of defence.

The Belgian made nine saves in the match, the most on record by a goalkeeper in a single Champions League final (since 2003-04).

Klopp added he was alone among the Liverpool contingent in being able to put the game swiftly into perspective.

"It's not hard. I have that already, but I'm the only one in the dressing room," he said.

"I know it's not the success you want to have, but I have the strong feeling we will come again. That's how it is, because the boys are competitive.

"We have an outstanding group together and will have again an outstanding group next year. Then we go again. We obviously have to try a bit more often than others but no problem.

"Where's it next year? Istanbul? Yeah, book the hotel."

Related items

  • Salah's contract 'up to him and the club', says Slot Salah's contract 'up to him and the club', says Slot

    Arne Slot has asserted Mohamed Salah’s future is “up to him and the club”.

    The Liverpool star has yet to make a decision on whether to renew his contract, and as it stands, will be leaving Anfield at the end of the season.

    Salah remains a key player for the Reds, and leads the club for Premier League goals (seven) and assists (five) this term.

    He scored the winner in the 72nd minute to complete Liverpool’s comeback against Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday, as they moved to the top of the table.

    And despite the question marks over Salah's future, Slot is not concerned.

    "[His future] is not what I think about. The only thing I think about is he is so important for us. Scores important goals, works hard for the team," the Liverpool boss told TNT Sports.

    "I’m hoping he can enjoy that feeling many, many, many more times. Especially if I’m here but also if I’m not here. I’m hoping he can do this many more times.

    "He’s been incredible for Liverpool over the past eight years. He’s been incredible for us this season and I hope he can continue doing this for the rest of the season and maybe longer to come, but that’s up to him and the club to find the idea about the future."

    Salah could be in for a historic night on Tuesday when Liverpool face Bayer Leverkusen, having scored in each of his last five Champions League appearances at Anfield.

    The last player to score in six consecutive home games in the competition for an English club was Ruud van Nistelrooy for Manchester United in April 2003.

    Salah sparked renewed talk over his future after posting on Instagram on Sunday, saying that the feeling of scoring at Anfield would remain unforgettable “no matter what happens.”

    But Slot was keen to quash any deeper meaning in the post.

    "I haven’t spoken to him about that. You interpreted it in a way that maybe other people don’t," he told the press.

    "I don’t look at Instagram posts of my players, I only talk to them which you can’t, which is the advantage I have.

    "Mo is in a very good place at the moment. As long as he has been at Liverpool, he has been in a very good place, but this season again as well. I am hoping he will make a post after tomorrow and on Saturday again. What he said with that, that is not important.

    "For me what is important is how he plays and what he tells me when we have conversations. That is what matters and not how you guys interpret one of his posts."

  • Fonseca targets statement Milan win over Real Madrid Fonseca targets statement Milan win over Real Madrid

    Milan have no need to fear Real Madrid and their coach Paulo Fonseca is targeting a statement win in the Champions League.

    Despite having won more Champions League/European Cup titles (seven) than any other club apart from Madrid (15), it has been 17 years since Milan last lifted the trophy in 2007.

    On the other hand, holders Madrid have won the Champions League six times since 2013-14.

    But Fonseca sees no reason to fear Los Blancos at the Santiago Bernabeu, where Carlo Ancelotti's side were recently hammered 4-0 by Barcelona.

    "We're playing against a team that aspires to win the Champions League every year and for us it's a great opportunity to grow," Fonseca said.

    "We'll play without fear of anything, with courage, because we believe we can play a great game and do great things.

    "I always transmit to my team the desire to win and tomorrow will be no different. Real Madrid are a great team, but we will go out there thinking about winning. After that, anything can happen, but that's the mentality.

    "To win a match like this, we have to defend well, have possession of the ball and create dangerous situations. A match against Real Madrid is a chance to show the world our quality and the way we are growing."

    Madrid are 12th in the 36-team Champions League table with six points, while Milan are languishing in 25th spot – just outside the play-off places – with three points after three games.

    Fonseca explained Milan had carefully studied Barcelona's 4-0 win over Madrid in last month's Clasico.

    "I saw the derby, it's impossible not to watch it. They are teams I like to watch and I paid close attention to the game," Fonseca said.

    "We are different from Barcelona but it was important to see Real Madrid's intentions against them because Barca have a similar way of defending with us. We made the whole team watch the game.

    "It is the match between the two clubs that have won the Champions League the most. There are many games in the continent that are big, but this one is obviously something special, a match between two clubs that are attractive.

    "We hope to put on a good show for people who enjoy good football."

    Milan are winless in their last three Champions League games against Madrid (D2 L1) since they won 3-2 in October 2009 with goals from Andrea Pirlo and Alexandre Pato.

    Madrid have won five of their seven home matches against Milan in the competition (D1 L1), beating them 2-0 in the most recent such match in October 2010.

  • Returning fan favourite Alonso calls Liverpool 'one of Europe's best' Returning fan favourite Alonso calls Liverpool 'one of Europe's best'

    Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso hailed his former club Liverpool as "one of Europe's best" as he prepares for his Anfield return.

    Alonso, who spent five successful years at Anfield and helped Liverpool win the Champions League in 2005, returns to his former stomping ground when Leverkusen take on the Reds on Tuesday.

    Arne Slot has won 12 of his first 14 matches in charge of Liverpool, including all three in the Champions League so far.

    Leverkusen have only won one of their 11 away major European matches in England (D3 L7), and have lost their last two visits to Anfield, and Alonso is under no illusion as to the scale of the task that awaits the reigning Bundesliga champions.

    "For us, it is a big challenge," he said.

    "Liverpool at the moment are one of the best, if not the best, in Europe, they are showing that in the Premier League and Champions League, a good squad, great coach. We're looking forward to it. Let's see what happens.

    "You can play 70 minutes great but in 20 minutes it [the game] is gone, so it is mentally and emotionally we need to be ready.

    "In all areas, they are really strong, so the process works really well. [Slot] has done a fantastic job in three months."

    Alonso played 210 times across all competitions for Liverpool between 2004 and 2009, scoring 18 goals and providing 20 assists. 

    After winning the Champions League with the Reds in 2005, he helped them reach the final in 2007, though they lost to Milan on that occasion.

    However, the Spaniard does not think he will have too much time for a trip down memory lane.

    "Unfortunately, there is no time for tourism – maybe a little run or walk," he said.

    "I know the city very well, I love it, but tomorrow I will focus on the game and only the game.

    "It feels great to be back here after a few years. It's always special. You notice the development of the club; the new stand looks amazing.

    "It is a big game against Liverpool, it cannot get much better than that."

    The omens are not great for Leverkusen, though.

    Liverpool have lost one of their last 21 European meetings with German opponents (W14 D6), albeit that one defeat came against Leverkusen in 2002. 

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.