Yesterday Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp unveiled his 24 man roster that he brought with him to Kiev for his side’s Champions League final against Real Madrid on Saturday night. It’s been a final that has seen a lot of major logistical issues, as some LFC supporters are having serious problems even getting there.
Friday saw Klopp hold his pregame news conference, and we have video of the entire session for you embedded below:
Jurgen Klopp is almost always a great sound bite, and he did not disappoint today. The German assessed the big picture surrounding this monumental match quite well.
“How can I know (the advantage Real Madrid has from their experience)? I have never been twice in a row to a Champions League final,” Klopp said.
“Experience is very important and I’m pretty sure that, before the game, Real will be more confident than we are in the final second, but that’s not a problem because game does not end in that second, it only starts. We have had two weeks to prepare, analyze our opponent and watch Real and they are really strong. When you see Real Madrid play you say ‘wow, they are really strong’ but they never played us.”
“Nobody expected us to be here, but we are here because we are Liverpool. We are not only a really good football team. This club has it in its DNA that it can really go for the big things. Nobody expected us to be here, but we are here because we are Liverpool.
“We have to make it as difficult as possible for them. I really believe in using your own strength and then adapt to whatever your opponent is asking of you. That’s exactly 50-50,” Jurgen continued.
“We cannot try to fight on their level, but tactics are there to bring a better opponent to your level and when they are on your level, you try to beat them. It’s hard to do, but it’s worth a try.”
Odds: Real Madrid 4/6, Liverpool 6/5
For a review of the Real Madrid Stadium Tour: go to this link
Injury Report Team News on Both Sides: go to this link
Liverpool starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Real Madrid starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Sound Cloud, LinkedIn and YouTube.