Jurgen Klopp has reflected on Liverpool’s year, highlighting a Champions League final that was “special for the wrong reasons”.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is proud of his team’s achievements in 2022, including reaching a Champions League final he acknowledged was not one to remember.
The Reds finished second to Manchester City in the Premier League last season and the title race is coming down to the final day.
Liverpool also won both domestic cup competitions, beating Chelsea on penalties each time at Wembley Stadium.
However, their season ended in disappointment as their league heartthrob was followed by a 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid in Paris.
This match was marred by an incident outside the Stade de France where Liverpool fans were accused of using fake tickets to gain access to the ground and subsequently caused an obstruction which resulted in riot police firing tear gas at spectators trying to get inside.
Liverpool fans have since been cleared of any wrongdoing and Klopp wanted to highlight the highlight of the year the day after the Champions League final, when the Reds paraded the FA Cup and EFL Cup through town.
“From a sporting point of view, 2022 was quite a success, I would say. The EFL Cup final started. The FA Cup final was special, I enjoyed it a lot,” he said in a video posted on Liverpool’s website.
“Then the league was pretty spectacular. We were close again, I know it’s not appreciated as much, I understand when you get down to it.”
“But from a coach’s point of view, I’m quite proud of it.
“Champions League final, [Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut] Courtois had a pretty good day. We did pretty well but it wasn’t [right] that night, it didn’t feel right for various reasons that we didn’t know exactly.” right after the game when we were already down.
“But when we heard the stories from our families about what happened around the stadium, it was clear that it was a special night for the wrong reasons. So it won’t be a Champions League final we’ll remember for the rest of our lives.”
“What we will remember for the rest of our lives was the day after the Champions League final. You give absolutely everything and you get a lot, but not everything.”
“If it’s not worth celebrating, that would be the worst sign you can give to the outside world.
“That’s why we celebrated two cup competitions, two cup wins, two big, big campaigns and being together and living and loving each other.
“This club is so special and if anyone didn’t know that before, today was proof of that. It was great, I have no words. I get goosebumps just talking about it.”
Liverpool restart their season with a trip to Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
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