Georginio Wijnaldum relishing challenge of facing Real Madrid in Champions League final

Liverpool survived the highest-scoring European Cup semi-final for 58 years to set up a repeat of the 1981 final against Real Madrid in Kiev on May 26. 

The five-time winners were leading Roma 2-1, and 7-3 on aggregate, at half-time. But the Italians pushed them to the limit and fell just one goal short of extra time for the Reds to march on. 

Georginio Wijnaldum told BT Sport: ‘It will be a nice game [against Real Madrid]. If you want to win the Champions League you have to beat any team. 

Georginio Wijnaldum scored Liverpool’s second goal and is looking forward to the final

‘They have lots of good players but so do we. So it will be a good match!’

Having scored his first away goal for Jurgen Klopp’s side at a crucial time, the Dutchman delighted in his contribution against Roma. 

‘It was perfect timing! It was a really important moment when I scored. I was lucky the ball came to me.’   

After the final whistle Jordan Henderson reflected with relief that his side have made it through, despite a late scare. 

‘We never do it the easy way unfortunately. It was an amazing effort. In the first half we did well and scored some good goals,’ he said.  

‘Overall we handled the situation well apart from the last 10 minutes. We need to stop that but I’m delighted we’re in the final.

Jordan Henderson was generally happy about how his team approached the game

‘We knew it was important to score and get one early on. We were unlucky with their first goal but overall we have to be happy with what we have done over the two legs. We could have done better in this game but we’ve made it through to the final.

‘We have another important game on the weekend against Chelsea and then we have Real Madrid in the final. We will go there with confidence,’ he added. 

Andy Robertson took a moment to look back on his remarkable journey as he celebrated in front of the jubilant travelling fans.   

‘What a thing to be involved in and credit to all the lads. But this is for all them behind us because they’ve been magnificent. 

Andy Robertson was relegated with Hull last season and now has a final to look forward to 

‘All the lads and fans deserve it and we’ll have a great time in Kyiv regardless. First a foremost we knew we had to defend a lead and they threw everything at us and the lads have been different class. It’s brilliant and we deserve it.

‘You look back at what I was doing last season… fighting for our lives at Hull and sadly we came short.

‘I think we’ll enjoy this and think about that (the final) another day. We’ll try our best, the fans will have a great day out and hopefully we can bring the trophy back,’ he concluded.