Klopp seeks turnaround to five forgettable finals

KIEV, May 25: “We’ve won it five times,” Liverpool supporters sing to celebrate their five European Cup final victories, but Jurgen Klopp, manager of the English giants, is attempting to end a very different run of results in Saturday’s Champions League final.

Klopp has lost his last five finals, three with Borussia Dortmund before moving to Anfield in 2015, and two in his debut season with the Reds.

“They don’t hang silver medals at Melwood (Liverpool’s training ground),” Klopp warned amid the euphoria of making it to Kiev this weekend after an enthralling 7-6 aggregate semi-final win over Roma.

“There’s still a job to do but that’s how it is. Going to a final is really nice but winning is even nicer.”

Those are words of a man who has been there and suffered before. Each of his five final defeats had their own context, but hurt all the same.

“If something is really important for you, you have to be ready for suffering. That is how life is,” Klopp said this week. “If you want guarantees then don’t qualify for a final, stay at home or go on holiday.” Agencies