MX23RW : Thursday, December 19 10:04:15| >> :120:41306:41306:
[monks data]
Attendance: 63,272
Spurs logo
Champions League | Final
Jun 1, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
Liverpool logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
Salah (2' pen.), Origi (87')

Jurgen Klopp confident Roberto Firmino will be fit for Champions League final

Jurgen Klopp confident Roberto Firmino will be fit for final
© Reuters
The Liverpool manager will be without the injured Naby Keita but Roberto Firmino looks set to play a part after recovering from a groin problem.

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.

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 v Barcelona – UEFA Champions League – Semi Final – Second Leg – Anfield
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.

Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur – Premier League – Anfield
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)."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'ea8fd3d4-a110-4b3b-961c-87a14b6c151f');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Klopp relishing the excitement of all-English Champions League final'});

ID:360478: cacheID:360478:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9490:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino pictured on April 30, 2019
Read Next:
Mauricio Pochettino ignoring speculation over future ahead of CL final
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool660018
2Barcelona650115
3B. Leverkusen641113
4Inter Milan641113
5Brest641113
6Arsenal641113
7Aston Villa641113
8Lille641113
9Bayern640212
10Dortmund640212
11Atletico640212
12AC Milan640212
13Atalanta632111
14Juventus632111
15Benfica631210
16Feyenoord631210
17Brugge631210
18Monaco631210
19Sporting Lisbon631210
20Real Madrid63039
21Celtic62319
22Man City62228
23PSV62228
24Dinamo Zagreb62228
25PSG62137
26Stuttgart62137
27Shakhtar61144
28Sparta Prague61144
29Sturm Graz61053
30Girona61053
31Red Star61053
32Salzburg61053
33Bologna60242
34RB Leipzig60060
35Slovan Bratislava60060
36Young Boys60060


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!