Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says his side are feeling “pure excitement” ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final – although Naby Keita misses out.
The German manager, who guided the Reds to last year’s final only to suffer defeat by Real Madrid, will pit his men against Tottenham in the Spanish capital on Saturday.
On Saturday’s showpiece, Klopp said: “We are all very excited about having the chance again.
“Last year we played it, and four years ago some of us played another final (with Klopp’s former club Borussia Dortmund) so we probably have more experience.
“It’s about dealing with the situation, and so far we have controlled our emotions. It’s pure excitement and we are looking forward to it.”
Guinea midfielder Keita will not feature, though, as he continues to recover from a groin injury.
There was better news for Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino, who is also grappling with a groin issue.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Klopp said: “There’s no chance for Naby but he’s progressing well.
“Bobby was part of training last week and will be a part again tomorrow. He’s looking good so he will be part of the final, I’m sure.”
On recovering from two near misses as a Champions League manager to try and make it third time lucky this weekend, Klopp said: “I don’t like to blame my other team – I love them all – but I’ve never been part of a final with a better team, that’s true.
“Our boys mix potential with attitude in the best way I’ve ever seen.
Liverpool’s togetherness allowed them to stage a momentous semi-final comeback against Barcelona, according to Klopp. (Peter Byrne/PA)
“After Barcelona (the 4-0 semi-final comeback at Anfield), nobody believes more in this team than the team itself. We wanted it really badly.”
With regard to the special dynamic of an all-Premier League final, Klopp added: “It looks at the moment that it is not unlikely two English teams could be in the final again.
“It is a proper European final, it is not a third game against Tottenham. It is a proper European final.
“It will be very tight, no doubt. The quality of us and Spurs is very similar.
A Toby Alderweireld, right, own goal in the 90th minute was all that separated the sides the last time Liverpool played Tottenham in March (Peter Byrne/PA)
“We know a lot about Tottenham but we have had three weeks since our last game and in three weeks I would have known the name of the groundsman of Barcelona, for example.”
Klopp denied that reaching successive European Cup finals is a personal career highlight.
“The biggest moment of my career was in 2004 in getting Mainz promoted,” said the Stuttgart-born coach.
“Winning the Champions League final with Liverpool would be (the) new (one).”
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
FourFourTwo was launched in 1994 on the back of a World Cup that England hadn’t even qualified for. It was an act of madness… but it somehow worked out. Our mission is to offer our intelligent, international audience access to the game’s biggest names, insightful analysis... and a bit of a giggle. We unashamedly love this game and we hope that our coverage reflects that.
