Liverpool will bank a huge pot of £71.71million if they win the Champions League – and Dejan Lovren insist they have nothing to fear against Real Madrid.
When Liverpool last won the European Cup in 2005, it was worth in the region of £20million but, to show how lucrative this unexpected charge to the final has been, they will still collect £67.71million if they lose in Kiev on May 26.
There is more to it than money, though, and central defender Lovren is not worried about facing the reigning champions, who wore t-shirts after they had scrambled past Bayern Munich on Tuesday which declared them ready for “No 13”.
Dejan Lovren believes Liverpool have nothing to fear in Champions League in final
Lovren said: ‘They are quite confident. But we don’t care for that, we are focused on our job. Why should we fear them? They should fear us. The best teams (in the competition) are us and Real Madrid. Let’s see what will happen.
‘It is unbelievable (that we have got there), something that every player dreams of doing; it is just an honour to play for Liverpool and lets do something in the final now. It is an honour to play with this team, they are fantastic these players, these fans.
‘It was difficult in the last 10-15 minutes, our heads I would say were in the final already, that is why we conceded but let’s enjoy now.’
Sadio Mane believes Liverpool are one of the best teams in the world and we beat Madrid
Sadio Mane, whose goal in the ninth minute was the first Roma had conceded at home in the Champions League this season, sounded similarly bullish when he was asked to assess Liverpool’s prospects of going all the way and winning their sixth European crown.
‘Yes, honestly we do,’ said Mane. ‘I can say at this moment, we do have a lot of respect for Madrid, they are one of the best teams in the world, but we are Liverpool – we are strong, we can beat any team in the world. We believe that. So we believe we can go there and beat them.
‘We know we are going to go there and fight, for the fans, for the clubs, and fight without fear…and win the final. We have the players. We can score goals, we have shown that, and there is nothing to be afraid of for us.’
Jurgen Klopp reached the final with Borussia Dortmund in 2013 and Lovren says he deserves it
Jurgen Klopp’s influence has been huge in reviving Liverpool’s fortunes and Lovren went to great length to explain what the German has done; the Croatia defender has certainly benefited from the manager’s methods.
‘He changed many things in the club not just the players but things around the club, people, he has changed the mentality how we think,’ said Lovren.
‘Everything is more positive now. Even when we sometimes don’t play good he always finds something good and there is not negativity.
‘He deserves this. It is not accidental that he already reached the final of the Cl in 2013 with BD. He has given the club pride back. Everyone feels that everyone lives that. Everyone should be proud that we have a manager like him.’