All eyes on Paris as Reds take on Real Madrid in UEFA Champions League final

Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool FC take on Read Madrid in Paris on Saturday with the biggest prize in European football at stake - the UEFA Champions League trophy.

Liverpool FC manager Jürgen Klopp found it difficult to contain his excitement ahead of Saturday’s night’s UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid in Paris.

With both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup already secured during a hugely successful campaign, Klopp knows that he and his players will give everything to secure the club’s seventh European Cup at the Stade de France.

Klopp is expecting the occasion to match the hype.

“In the last five years, we were there three times, I don't know exactly the number but Real Madrid in the last 10 years probably won it five times, or at least four times, so that makes it really special,” said the boss.

“A lot of these players were always involved in these kind of games, so it will be a great game.

“I really think the world will be red or white on this matchday and that's exactly how it should be.

“It is historically two teams who were always strong in this competition and now in the present as well, which is a good sign – competing with this kind of calibre is the best thing you can do.

“Obviously we are not going there just to be part of it, that's clear. To be 100 per cent honest, I can't wait to go there and not because I think, 'It's Real Madrid, let's kick them [out]' or whatever – not at all. I know how difficult it will be. It is just having the chance to go again for it is really special.”

In terms of team news, both Joe Gomez and Fabinho have returned to training ahead of the final and Klopp also revealed that there is every chance Thiago Alcantara can be involved, despite the injury he suffered against Wolverhampton Wanderers FC on the last day of the Premier League season.

“It’s surprisingly good [news],” added Klopp. “After the game [on Sunday] I was not really positive about it but we got news then that night already that it doesn’t look that bad and from there we went. Now we will see.”

One player who can’t wait to take on Madrid is Mohamed Salah, who was forced off during the first half against the same opposition in 2018 as the Reds fell to a 3-1 defeat.

The Egyptian, having confirmed that he will be staying with the club next season, is looking make up for the biggest disappointment of his career so far.

“I remember when I went out after 30 minutes or something,” said Salah.

“That was the worst moment in my career. I was really, really down in that time, because playing the Champions League... I had a good season that time and just playing the Champions League [final], coming off after 30 minutes, it’s the worst thing that could happen to any football player.

“After the game I knew the result, because I was in the hospital, I knew the result from [Jordan Henderson].

“I was like: ‘We cannot lose this way.’

“I never felt that feeling before in football, especially the first Champions League [final] for all of us - well, most of us. So, we lost it, we were very, very disappointed, but I think after that summer we came back, we talked to each other.

“[I] think Hendo and [James Milner] talked in the dressing room, if I remember right, and they say we go again for everything and we managed to win it the year after, so that was also kind of revenge, in a way, but I think we managed in the best way possible.”

Finally, Henderson insists the mood in the camp is one of optimism despite the disappointment of missing out on the Premier League title by a point on the final day.

The Reds’ captain says he could not be more proud of how his team-mates have weathered such a busy season, having played every possible game on the football calendar since the start of the campaign in August.

“Of course, we were disappointed on Sunday with the outcome, coming so close and then finding out what was happening in the other game, it was tough to take, but I couldn’t be more proud of the lads this season and how we’ve competed in every single competition,” said Henderson.

“We’ve given absolutely everything [and] played the maximum number of games that we could have played.

“We’ve won two trophies so far, and we’ve got a big opportunity on Saturday to win another, so it’s all positive here.

“We’ve really good morale in the camp and we just can’t wait to get going again on Saturday and give absolutely everything one last time this season and try to get over the line to bring the Champions League trophy back to Liverpool.”