Liverpool supervisor Jurgen Klopp admits watching again May’s Champions League closing defeat to Real Madrid for the primary time was “torture”.
There was chaos earlier than the showpiece, with followers outdoors the Stade de France trapped in critical congestion and tear-gassed by police. Thousands missed the delayed kick-off of a recreation Klopp’s workforce misplaced 1-0.
The environment contained in the stadium suffered in consequence and Klopp discovered reviewing the footage painful, though he believes his workforce did every part to win the sport.
He stated: “I didn’t watch it again till this weekend. The factor I realised instantly was now I do know why I didn’t watch it again – however I needed to.
“It was correct torture as a result of we performed a great recreation and will have gained and that’s the decisive phrase – may – however didn’t as a result of they scored and we didn’t. That’s the decisive cause.
“I watched the sport again, figuring out precisely what we’ll do and we needed to win this recreation.
“We didn’t. The one reason was we didn’t score and we conceded but apart from that we should have won the game.
“What looked like held us back a little was it was a final. In the little moments we were not adventurous enough, we were super-protected because of the possible counter-attack threat.
“Analysing it is super-easy. It was a little bit of feeling that we needed an extra spark and could have made it.”
Defeat prolonged Liverpool’s winless run towards the 14-time European champions to 6 matches (5 defeats, one draw), with Klopp’s report as Reds boss studying 4 defeats – together with two finals – and a draw.
Liverpool have misplaced to Real extra occasions (5) than they need to another workforce in European competitors and the Spanish membership’s coach Carlo Ancelotti has misplaced solely 5 of his 17 encounters with them, successful 9. His final victory at Anfield got here as Everton supervisor in January 2021, the membership’s first on the floor in 22 years.
It means the 2 golf equipment share numerous latest historical past and know one another nicely going into their final 16, first-leg tie at Anfield.
“We saw (in Paris) how experienced Madrid is and how little they are fussed by the fact the other team has chances. Generally I don’t think you can make this team panic,” added Klopp.
“They don’t lose confidence in a single second, they know ‘our chance will come’ they usually defend with legs. That’s what you’ll be able to be taught from them, positively.
“Before that the final time they knocked us out we performed there (in Madrid) on the coaching floor and right here in an empty stadium (resulting from Covid restrictions).
“Here the game was a really good 0-0, we let them run, we let them work hard for the money and that was good. But this is now different teams, same clubs, different times, so there is a history.
“In the last few years one of us was always kind of in the final, that’s how it feels at least, and usually if you want to get to the final you have to kick us out, or them.
“They have enough wins. They are absolutely world class, it is a well set up team and that’s why it is so difficult but it doesn’t mean it is not possible.
“When they played City and PSG (Manchester City in last season’s semi-final and Paris St Germain in the last 16 respectively) both games were definitely ‘game over’ and then it wasn’t because of their quality.
“Some of their players have won it five times and probably think they own the competition – and quite rightly – but that doesn’t mean we won’t give it a try.”
Klopp stays hopeful ahead Darwin Nunez will probably be match after injuring his shoulder in Saturday’s win at Newcastle.
The Uruguay worldwide took half in open coaching on the eve of the sport, nevertheless it stays to be seen whether or not the damage will have an effect on his readiness for the match.