Jurgen Klopp made a passionate pledge for “the people of Ukraine ” ahead of the Champions League final.
UEFA moved the game to Paris from St Petersburg after Russia ’s invasion of Ukraine and Klopp was asked whether they would be thinking about that in the build-up to the game. The Liverpool boss was lost for words at first and took his time before delivering an emotional answer saying that it was important the game went ahead but also that it sent a clear message to both Russia and Ukraine.
Klopp said: “That the game still happens and that it's not in St Petersburg maybe is exactly the message Russia should get. Life goes on even when you try to destroy it. We play this final for all the people, but as well for the people of Ukraine.”
Klopp’s powerful words may have an impact as they were designed to make football fans and beyond sit up and take notice across Europe. Meanwhile, the German manager also warned his all-conquering Liverpool players they will be judged “by the colour of the medal” they emerge from Paris with.
Klopp, who voiced concerns about the Stade de France pitch, insisted his players have been “absolutely exceptional” no matter the outcome of the final. But he admitted that in years to come they will only be remembered if they lift the trophy, which would be Liverpool’s seventh European Cup and their second in four years.
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Liverpool boss Klopp, who has already won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup this season, said: “That’s the world of sports, that’s the world we’re living in, we get judged by the final result and if you are a football person then you know what my boys have done so far this season is absolutely exceptional.
“But of course in the end, it’s all measured by the colour of the medal that you get after a game. That’s how it is, we are fine with that, we are ready for that and history will tell us what people say about us in these type of games.
“But I’m more than happy and proud of what we did so far. It’s been really special, really special, a lot of games, a lot of finals and tight decisions. Like penalty shootouts and things like this. Maybe people out there think: ‘they only won on penalty shootouts.’ But, believe me, being ready for the penalty shootout is one of the hardest things you can imagine.
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“From my personal point of view, I will feel better if we win the game. Definitely. Much better. But that’s the only thing I’m concerned about, how can we make that happen.”
Klopp stressed his surprise that the pitch has only been laid this week and finished on Thursday because the stadium hosted a rock concert by French band Indochine, which had been booked in before the venue was switched from St Petersburg.
He said he was not sure how the pitch would play but it could impact on the match as a spectacle. “Somebody thought it would be a good idea to bring a new pitch the day before the game,” said Klopp. “If you win you don't care about the pitch. I have no idea how bad or good it is. The referees trained on it and I saw the ball bouncing and that is good news. Both teams have the same circumstances so I'm fine with it.”
