Liverpool boss Klopp hoping to ‘learn’ from previous finals ahead of ‘top class’ Real Madrid test

Dan Butterfield
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is hoping to use the experience of the previous finals they have been in ahead of their upcoming Champions League encounter on Saturday.

The Reds head to Paris this weekend to face Real Madrid, who beat Klopp’s side in the final in 2018.


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Liverpool went on to win the competition the following year as they edged out Spurs in an all-English clash in Madrid.

They have added more final experience already this season, beating Chelsea on penalties in both the Carabao Cup final and the FA Cup.

Now, speaking to UEFA (via Liverpoolfc.com), Klopp has admitted he is hoping they can use the experience they have gained to their advantage on in Paris.

“Oh, we did it the Liverpool way, which is the hard way. So, we lost [some] big finals, obviously.

“In the first year [of his time in charge], Europa League final and the Carabao Cup final. All of these experiences are important in life. They are. But they are not nice [in] any way.

“So then, we came back and we had to learn [how to win]. We had to learn [how to] be at our top level of focus and concentration in a game like this.

“To do all the things you do over the years, to use it in such a high, prolific game – and that’s the plan. So yeah, I think if we are not entering a world-class team already but you want to get there then you’re going to have to learn [how].

“And that’s what we did and I’m really happy with how the boys have developed over the years. That’s why the group has been pretty together since then. [This hasn’t] happened a lot but some players are playing a third Champions League final, which is absolutely incredible.”

On what threat Real will pose to them, Klopp added: “It was always tough [against Real]. It’s because, first and foremost, they are a world-class team, a world-class club, and they know how to win football games.

“I think that says it all and they’re not out there to play friendly games, but neither are we and especially not in a final. I think the most we can learn [since 2018] from what we know about both teams, it didn’t happen too much squad-wise, maybe even a little bit more with Real Madrid but still, the core, especially the midfield, is still there.

“A lot of things are still [the way] they were before. So, their [back] line has changed a lot, up front, Cristiano [Ronaldo] is not there, true, but [Karim] Benzema is still there, young Brazilians [Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo] now and all these kinds of things, so it’s a top-class team.

“But it’s good to have played finals before, definitely. I said it after we won the final against Tottenham: in all the finals that my teams have played before, we played better football but we lost.

“So, we have to learn to win finals and we’ve won a few, not Champions League finals, but a few others. We are more experienced [now] and that’s probably good.”