All the lost finals
Against Real Klopp fights against the great curse
02/21/2023, 7:14 p.m
Real Madrid is in the Champions League what Manchester City is in the English Premier League: an almost insoluble puzzle for Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool. Without the two clubs, Klopp would be even bigger, Liverpool would be even more successful. In the round of 16 they fight against the real trauma.
“Terrific,” said Jürgen Klopp and relief was written on the face of the Liverpool team manager before the Champions League cracker against Real Madrid. After all, his “Reds” got back on their feet just in time for revenge for the lost 2022 final, two recent victories without conceding are balm for the battered souls of Mohamed Salah and Co..
“The only way we can get back on track is to win – and we’ve done that twice in a row,” said Klopp before the duel with the royals (9 p.m. / DAZN and in the live ticker on ntv .de), who have to do without the sick Toni Kroos. “It’s an incredible feeling.” But of course the crisis in Liverpool is still having an impact, only eighth in the league, tied on points with no-name clubs like Brighton & Hove Albion or FC Brentford. And then there is the real trauma.
“I don’t think we’re in a position now where we can have a big mouth and say, ‘We’re here and let’s move on’,” said Klopp, who of course also knows the stats against Madrid. If Real didn’t exist, the 55-year-old would probably have won the premier class more than once.
2018, 2021, 2022 – Real is always better
At the weekend, Klopp watched a video of the lost final from the previous season for the first time. “I realized why I didn’t do that before. It was agony. We played a good game, we could have won it, but they scored the winning goal,” he said. “You could see their experience , how little they lose confidence, they wait for their chance. That’s what you can learn from them.”
But there is not only the lost Champions League final in 2022, Liverpool also lost to Madrid in 2018. 2021 ended in the quarterfinals. Liverpool haven’t beaten Real since winning the Champions League Round of 16 in 2009. And coach Carlo Ancelotti wants to make sure that doesn’t change for the time being. “We’re in good shape and we’ll go to Anfield with a lot of confidence,” said the Italian.
Everything can turn at Anfield Road
Of course Real is still the favorite after Liverpool’s desolate season so far, but Klopp’s team is no longer on the ground either. And not only midfield engine Fabinho knows: “Champions League evenings are always something special in Anfield.” The fans are sure to give their all as it hasn’t escaped their notice that this year’s Champions League final will again take place in Istanbul – the scene of the legendary triumph over AC Milan in 2005.
Klopp will also have no problem motivating his team. “This game speaks for itself,” he said. Just in time for the real showdown, his team comes out of the crisis. “We’ve worked hard, we’re still working hard to improve our situation,” said goalkeeper Alisson Becker. “I think we’re regaining momentum and confidence, but we can’t take things for granted.”