'One in a million' Klopp makes Liverpool a European giant once more
"We are not here by any kind of magic," said
Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool's third appearance in the a Champions League final in
five years. "We deserve this."
Real Madrid stand in the Reds' way at the Stade de France on
Saturday, just as they did four years ago in the first of Liverpool's European
Cup finals under their German guru.
Defeat 3-1 that night in Kyiv to two goalkeeping errors from
Loris Karius, having lost star man Mohamed Salah early on to a cruelly
inflicted dislocated shoulder, might have broken other sides.
"This was a harsh night for us," Klopp reflected
on Wednesday.
Instead, a year later, the Reds were back on the biggest
stage to right those wrongs by beating Tottenham in Madrid to lift a sixth
European Cup.
Since then Klopp has also ended Liverpool's 30-year wait to
win a league title in 2020.
"If I sit here in four years, I am pretty confident we
will have one title," Klopp said when he first arrived as Liverpool
manager. Seven years on, they very nearly won four in a season.
Saturday's final will be their 63rd game of the campaign
having reached the final of every competition.
The League Cup and FA Cup are already back in the Anfield
trophy room, but Manchester City held off Liverpool's charge since the turn of
the year to win a thrilling Premier League title race on Sunday.
"Without the Champions League it would be a great season.
With the Champions League it would be a fantastic season," Klopp added.
Credit for Liverpool's sustained success has been shared
around.
The club's outgoing sporting director Michael Edwards has
been lauded for near faultless recruitment in the transfer market.
Klopp has welcomed in a series of experts from throw-in
coaches to neuroscientists to help his players take penalties in pursuit of
marginal gains.
But it is his mix of tacitcal acumen, man-management and
cult of personality that has transformed a sleeping giant struggling just to
qualify for the Champions League back into a European superpower.
"The players deserve unbelievable credit, but it is all
down to that man. Liverpool have a very, very special man at the top of their
club," said former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.
"What he has created right through this club is the
standard that he expects, that spirit, that mentality. He is just an absolute
revelation."
That tally would be much higher had he not been up against
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, backed by the state wealth of Abu Dhabi.
Liverpool have posted three of the highest nine points
tallies in Premier League history in the past four years for the reward of just
one title as City have twice edged them by a solitary point.
The Reds' lesser resources mean Klopp has needed to drain
every ounce of effort from his squad just to keep up.
"After the Champions League final (in Madrid), I said
it wouldn't be possible to win it without the manager," said Liverpool
captain Jordan Henderson.
"I felt from day one he came in the door he changed
everything and we have all followed him."
Luckily for the Liverpool support there is much more to
come.
Against prior expectation, Klopp extended his contract to
2026 last month, which would take his stay at Anfield beyond a decade.
Aston Villa manager and legendary former Liverpool captain
Steven Gerrard has long been tipped as a possible successor.
But even he urged the Liverpool support to enjoy the ride under
Klopp as long as it lasts.
"Liverpool fans should enjoy Jurgen Klopp," said
Gerrard. "I think he's one in a million, he's that good."
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