Klopp has major dilemma over returning star ahead of CL final

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s one real decision ahead of the Champions League final against Real Madrid appears to be whether to include Emre Can in his squad.

The Germany international, who is yet to sign an extension on a contract which expires next month, has not played since the end of March because of a back injury but has returned to full training and travelled with the squad to Ukraine.

Fellow midfielder Adam Lallana is expected to start on the bench.

Klopp, meanwhile, has brushed aside the fact that Real have experience on their side going into the final.

Speaking at his press conference ahead of the game he said: “Experience is very important in a final and I am pretty sure in the second before the game Real Madrid will be more confident than we are but that is not a problem because the game doesn’t end in that second, it only starts.

“I’ve looked at the teams they’ve played and they have played really strong teams but they never played us and we are Liverpool.

 

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“Not only are we a really good football team but this club has in its DNA to go for the big things. We are Liverpool.

“Nobody expected us to be here but we are here because we are Liverpool.

“The team with the most goals (40) in the run to the final – it’s us. I can’t believe it but it’s true. We scored the most goals and had exceptional performances.

“The experience they have is an advantage 100 per cent but in the game experience does not help you all the time.

“We need to make it as difficult as we can for them. We cannot try to fight on their level but tactics in football are there to bring a better opponent to your level and when they are on your level you can beat them.”

The Reds boss also decided to take the heat fully off his players ahead of the game as tried to get them relaxed as possible.

 

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