Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has delivered a special message to the Liverpool squad ahead of their Champions League Final with Defending Champions Real Madrid.
Gerrard whom lead an incredible comeback against AC Milan back in 2005 has drawn upon his Champions League experience to motivate and urge his former side to bring home the Champions League.
The Reds have not won the competition since that famous night against Milan, a performance that Gerrard himself was at the heart of.
He told the club’s official website:
These players have an opportunity to not just change their careers but their lives in general.
My message to the players would be: go and grasp it, go and seize the moment you have worked so hard for. Go and reward yourselves for the journey you have taken this club on.
Jurgen Klopp’s side defeated Roma in a stunning semi-final that finished 7-6 on aggregate to book their spot in Kiev for the final. Not only that, the Reds knocked out Champion League favourites and Premier League rivals Manchester City.
Liverpool have had a difficult route to the final now they face the biggest challenge of them all. The recently-appointed Rangers boss has urged Liverpool to:
Go in with the belief and confidence; you have come this far. You’ve got to handle the responsibility of being a Liverpool player and you’ve got to go and deliver.
You’ll get plaudits and praise for getting where you are but not many people remember it if you don’t get over the line and deliver.
It’s important that they try to blank it [the hype around the game] out if they can. It’s difficult but just make sure your preparation is spot-on, you get your sleep and the right food, and everything goes well. It’s tough, because of the magnitude of the game: it’s the biggest game you’ll play in as a Liverpool player.
This team still has the mental toughness but on the eye they look superb.
Everyone is thinking: ‘Liverpool deserve this’.
They have looked the best, they have done it in style and, being a Liverpool fan, it has been brilliant to be part of.
