Liverpool’s final preparations for the biggest game of the season, and the last 13 years, are coming to a head.
In just three days time, Jurgen’s Klopp’s Reds will take the field in Kiev against Real Madrid in the Champion League final and the manager is leaving nothing to chance.
He called in all his squad on Wednesday afternoon to ensure no stone is left unturned ahead of the European showpiece.
Liverpool stars arrived at Melwood on Thursday for their final training session on Merseyside
Players like Sadio Mane rocked up to Melwood to put in final preparations for Real Madrid
Jurgen Klopp has said he is relishing the prospect of playing Real Madrid in the showpiece
Reds skipper Jordan Henderson and compatriot Adam Lallana arrive at the training complex
Klopp, along with Sadio Mane, Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino and the rest of Liverpool’s stars hoping to claim a sensational sixth European title drove into Melwood in what appeared a serious and determined mood.
It is the last chance Klopp will have to prepare his players on home soil as they jet off to Kiev on Thursday.
Despite playing the revered Real Madrid, who are bidding for their third successive title, Klopp does not fear their Spanish counterparts.
He is, in fact, welcoming the prospect of playing Europe’s elite in what promises to be a stunning showpiece in the Ukrainian capital.
Virgil van Dijk, the club’s record signing, looks focused as he drives into Melwood
Joe Gomez puts his hand up to the cameras as he prepares for a crucial training session
Trent Alexander-Arnold gives a thumbs up to the camera upon arrival at the club’s HQ
Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet rolls down his window on a sunny afternoon on Merseyside
‘We want to play against Man City in the Champions League, we want to play against Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, PSG, Juventus, Atletico Madrid – and there are no easy opponents, it’s always difficult,’ Klopp told the club’s website. ‘A final should be difficult, that’s how it is.
‘Do Real Madrid, sitting in Madrid at the moment, think, “thank God it’s Liverpool!”? I can’t imagine that, so it’s a tough one for both sides.
‘They are really strong and experienced and it feels like their group has been together since ages. They won the last two finals together with pretty much similar or exactly the same line-up.
‘It’s just cool, it’s a big one, it’s really European top-class, it sounds already fantastic. It’s nice that we are in this group again with these fantastic names around and we made the way to the final in a very exceptional manner.
‘We never came through with kind of passive football, hoping they make mistakes. We were always front-footed, we always tried to create – that’s how football should be.
‘I really like our journey and now we have to go one more step.’
Andrew Robertson, whose stock has risen dramatically this season, drives into training
Nathaniel Clyne looks determined upon entry to the Liverpool training complex