Unbelievable. Champions of Europe for a sixth time. Marvellous. The Wanda Metropolitano was a sea of red amongst a very hot dense climate.
Mo Salah scored two minutes in and Divock Origi scored two minutes from time. Carnage in the south stand.
Everyone got a medal. Everyone. Showing just how much this victory meant to this wonderful set of players, who connect with this club more than any set of players I have ever witnessed.
This game not only symbolises this remarkable season. But also symbolises the unbelievable progression during the whole Jurgen Klopp reign, four years on, and that’s why everyone deserves a medal.
Memories of Kyiv, Roma, Man City, Barcelona, Bayern Munich had to mean something. They had to have silverware to represent the unbelievable progression Klopp has incorporated amongst Liverpool. Dining at the top table where they belong. A true European giant.
Adam Lallana hasn’t played a single minute of football in the Champions League this season. However, thoroughly deserves a medal for his performances in 2016, that was significant in getting Liverpool back into the top four and back into the big time. The same applies for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was pivotal in Klopp’s side on the road to Kyiv, only to be out of action for a year through injury.
Joel Matip has come on monumental leaps and bounds. He wasn’t even in the manager’s first XI, even the bench at times in August. I’d make him Man of the match in Madrid. Safe in defence alongside Virgil van Dijk, with an underrated assist for Origi’s goal, that just signifies the football brain he possesses.
Klopp’s mentality is a phrase that’s been passed around since number six arrived home. Well, what about Divock Origi’s mentality? From being frozen out and a poor loan spell at Wolfsburg, his mentality and will to seize his given opportunity has proved significant numerous times as he yet again comes up with another massive goal.
The defeats and heartbreak only make the glorious victories feel 10 times better. Finally, the gaping wound of Kyiv is repaired. The club have reached the pinnacle of football once again and it’s brilliant to see, especially for the new generation who are following Liverpool Football Club, who have only really suffered the heartbreak stage, it’s your turn now.
Klopp has done many things, but for me, the best thing he’s done is bringing fun back into football for Liverpool. It all happened so quick. It feels like only a minute ago we were at White Hart Lane for his first game in charge. Never mind defeating the same side to win the European Cup.
He connects this club so well in the present day. Well, Jurgen, these are the best days of our lives.
