Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Lucky 7? Klopp addresses six-game finals slump

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Friday, 31 May 2019 10:48

Jurgen Klopp has insisted he is not an unlucky manager as he attempts to end a run of six straight defeats in major finals by guiding Liverpool to Champions League glory against Tottenham in Madrid.

Last season's beaten finalists -- Liverpool lost 3-1 to Real Madrid in Kiev 12 months ago -- are attempting to win their sixth European Cup by defeating Premier League rivals Spurs, who are contesting their first Champions League final on Saturday.

- When is the Champions League final?
- Who qualifies for Europe from the Premier League?
- Champions League final: ESPN FC coverage

But despite going into the game as favourites, Klopp's losing streak in finals is perhaps the only negative hanging over Liverpool.

The German has failed to win a major final since overseeing Borussia Dortmund's 5-2 German Cup win against Bayern Munich in May 2012, with subsequent defeats in the Champions League final (twice), Europa League, EFL Cup and two German Cups.

But when asked in Madrid whether he was an unlucky manager, Klopp insisted his record in semifinals proves that he is not.

"My career so far was not unlucky, but my problems are that, since 2012, apart from 2017, I was with my team in a final," Klopp said. "In the last seven years I am world-record holder in winning semifinals -- I could write a book about it, but nobody would read it.

"I'm a normal human being. There can be moments that are unlucky and lucky, but I cannot change that. I understand luck as if you work for it, then you get it from time to time. The silverware is why we are here. There can be moments when you are lucky and unlucky, and there have been finals when we have not been on the lucky side, but that's luck.

"I have not had an unlucky career and it's not over yet. Could have been better, could have been worse. But if I will be the reason for losing six finals in a row, then everybody has to worry."

Aside from Klopp's poor return in major finals, Liverpool have also struggled to win honours in recent years, with the club securing just one cup this decade.

Last season's Champions League final defeat against Real was their third successive loss in a European final, but Klopp claims that there is little to learn from what happened in the past.

"From last year [what have I learned?], a bicycle kick from 18 metres can be a goal as well," Klopp said. "From the other finals, nothing really -- the circumstances and the opponent are different. It was three strange goals last year. A goal of the year and two strange goals. But you accept it and go home.

"We are a completely different side from last year. The final was a starting point again for the next step, but from the game, there's not a lot to learn. We are much more mature. We are getting older, we are a year older, players like Trent [Alexander-Arnold] have 50 more games in their legs.

"We're really looking forward to a proper game, I'm sure."

Klopp also confirmed that striker Roberto Firmino, who had missed Liverpool's last three matches with a thigh injury, is fit for the final.

Read 3601 times

Soccer

Deschamps: Mbappé struggles part 'psychological'

Deschamps: Mbappé struggles part 'psychological'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFrance coach Didier Deschamps said Thursday that there are both phy...

Follow live: USMNT face Jamaica in first leg of Nations League quarterfinal

Follow live: USMNT face Jamaica in first leg of Nations League quarterfinal

Mexico defender Julián Araujo out indefinitely after surgeryMexico international Julián Araujo will...

France tie with Israel amid brief clashes in stands

France tie with Israel amid brief clashes in stands

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThere was a brief altercation between a small number of fans early...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Warriors guard Melton ruled out with ACL sprain

Warriors guard Melton ruled out with ACL sprain

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- Golden State Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton has...

'The experience boosted me': Inside Rob Dillingham's strange journey to the NBA

'The experience boosted me': Inside Rob Dillingham's strange journey to the NBA

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- ON THE 28TH FLOOR of a five-star hotel in midtown Manha...

Baseball

Giants hire Winn as VP of player development

Giants hire Winn as VP of player development

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- Randy Winn is the new vice president of player dev...

Angels, Newman agree to 1-year, $2.5M deal

Angels, Newman agree to 1-year, $2.5M deal

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Los Angeles Angels and infielder Kevin Newman agreed to a one-y...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated