Could the Champions League final on Saturday prove to be a make or break match for this Liverpool side? Following the heartache of last year’s final and losing out to Manchester City in the league title.
There is no doubt that Jurgen Klopp has transformed Liverpool from a fairly good side into world beaters. To do that in less than four years is remarkable and he deserves a lot of credit. He has certainly proved himself to be a manager of real style and quality.
However, in his time at the club, he is yet to win a trophy and he has had his chances. He guided them to the 2015/16 Europa League final, where they faced Sevilla in the final. The match ended in a 3-1 loss to the Spanish side who retained the trophy.
Liverpool also had a terrific Champions League campaign last year which resulted in an extremely difficult tie against Real Madrid in Kiev. This was lost as well.
Now, these were very tough opponents for the Reds, however, it would definitely take a toll on you if you were to achieve so highly but then fall at the very last hurdle. This can happen to anyone, even the best team in the world.
There was also the heartbreak of Manchester City tipping Liverpool to the league title this year as well. To finish a season with 97 points, and not even lift the trophy is actually unbelievable. It is obvious that the fans are bemused by the whole situation and so will the players and everyone involved around the club. All these “so close, yet so far” moments for Liverpool are adding up and now lie with Jurgen Klopp’s men for the game on Saturday.
Although it may sound ridiculous to talk poorly of a side who have improved so much over the last few years and to reach three major European finals. There is the problem of what will happen next. How will the side react if they lose out in another European final?
As much as Klopp is a calm and collected character and makes his team portray the same image, there is no way that there won’t be heartache in that dressing room. To be so unlucky and not to have won any silverware over the last few seasons is hard enough – never mind adding another to the tally. Everyone in the club will definitely feel sorry for themselves and be disheartened if they do not get the much-desired win on Saturday.
It is their best opportunity, against a side they have played regularly, triumphed over consecutively and know very well. They are definitely the favourites for the tie and so they should be. They are one of the most dangerous teams on the planet right now, having a terrific run of form at the end of the season.
Now it is their time to continue this and show the world that they have what it takes to win the prestigious trophy once again. However, if it doesn’t go Liverpool’s way, there will be questions asked. Not questions on Liverpool’s quality or Klopp as a manager, but how the dressing room is and the confidence in it. This is something that everyone has to be very wary of and make sure there are no major problems arising. Anything can happen to a team who have been through a number of bad moments.
It would be a difficult few months for them if so, but the main thing after the game is making sure they are mentally and physically fit to continue their form and here’s hoping that there is still pride and belief in the Liverpool side so that they can return and hunt for silverware next season. The last thing Klopp wants is for this to end with Liverpool losing their rhythm and the class that they have had over the last couple of years.
If Liverpool were to win though, it would be a tremendous achievement, but thoroughly deserved. They are a top-class side and have the right to be champions of Europe. It could be that brilliant confidence booster that carries them towards more glory on a European scale as well as in England as well. This success is exactly what Liverpool are needing right now.
Nothing can be taken away from their opponents though. Tottenham have shown they are capable of any sort of upset this season. They overcame a great comeback against Ajax in the last round and triumphed over Manchester City and Dortmund in stages before.
We just have to wait and see how the match on Saturday goes, but there is one thing that can be guaranteed for sure. Whatever the outcome and result is, it is going to be one hell of a game in Madrid and there is definitely going to be more Champions League drama on show once more.
