"I didn't watch the Champions League final again until last weekend and it was torture," Klopp said

2023-02-21 13:43

"I didn't watch the Champions League final again until last weekend and it was torture," Klopp said


Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has admitted he was not able to re-watch last season's Champions League final loss to Real Madrid until last weekend, insisting it was " torture " to relive the experience .


From 1981 to 2009 , the Reds won their first three European games against Real Madrid. Since then, however, they have gone six games against Real Madrid without a win, five of which have ended in defeat.

Two of those defeats came in the 2018 and 2022 finals, with the latter particularly painful for Klopp ahead of Real Madrid's visit to Anfield in the Champions League last-16 first-leg on Tuesday.

" At Real Madrid we had different things happen, " Klopp told a news conference on Monday. " One of the biggest clubs in the world with a lot of experience.

" Our own story, we played this final in Paris. I didn't look back until this weekend and I know why I don't look back now, it was a proper torture.

" We played a good game and could have won it. They scored a decisive goal and we didn't. You can see the experience in Madrid. "

"I didn't watch the Champions League final again until last weekend and it was torture," Klopp said

" I hope Anfield is on their toes, they've seen us in better form in the last two games"

Liverpool have endured a disappointing season at home and are eighth in the Premier League table, 19 points behind leaders Arsenal.

Klopp doesn't think that means Liverpool should enter Tuesday's clash with the record 14 -time European champions with any trepidation.

" I'm really happy that we can play this game now, not a few weeks ago, " Klopp added. " We need to play one super game . To be honest, two super games to qualify. I'm fine with that.

" We always work hard to qualify for the Champions League and I really think you have to cherish those moments. It will be a special game.

" I want Anfield to be on their toes. They see that we've been in better form in the last two games and have more to look forward to. This is Real Madrid. We can't play this game without respect. They absolutely It's world-class. It's a great set-up - building the team, that's why it's so difficult. But that doesn't mean it's impossible.

Klopp also added that Darwin Nunes has " the chance " to be fit to play against Real Madrid. The Uruguayan striker was sidelined with a shoulder injury against Newcastle United at the weekend.