Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has expressed concerns over the Stade de France pitch before tonight’s Champions League final showdown with Real Madrid.
The surface at the 81,338-capacity venue located just north of Paris in Saint-Denis was relaid only this week, with turf transported from Barcelona before quickly installed.
The Stade de France has been used for musical concerts since the old pitch was removed following Nantes’ French Cup final victory over Nice on May 8.
Klopp has expressed concerns over the new hybrid surface, which is 95 per cent natural grass and five per cent synthetic material.
“Usually when I say the pitch looks new, that is good news,” he said. “This pitch is new since yesterday, which is not the best news - but it will be the same for both teams.
“I saw the refs with their session and the good news is, the ball drops normal. You can see the lines where they put the pieces of the pitch (together), which is what we aren’t used to.
“That someone thought it was a good idea to bring the pitch the day before to the stadium is an interesting idea. But it didn’t kill my mood a per cent. I am really happy we are here, I would have played the game on petanque.”
Klopp added: “I think both teams are technical teams and you would wish - in a dream world - that the pitch is the best you ever saw in your life.
“That’s obviously not the case. You will hear the same from (Real Madrid boss) Carlo (Ancelotti).
“Definitely, if you win you don’t care about the pitch, that is easy to say. I don’t know how bad or good it is, I only saw it. Maybe it’s perfect but it looks not perfect.
“But I hope no one makes a story about ‘Klopp moaning about the pitch’ - I’m fine. I saw it and it could look different but let’s get a feel of it.
“Normally these kind of sessions are for media, we are made to come, but today I am really happy we are here so we can feel it and pass a few balls on it.”
