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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matt Maltby

Jurgen Klopp knows two things Liverpool can't afford to do again in Real Madrid final

Liverpool have been here before - and Jurgen Klopp will be hoping for a different outcome when they lock horns with Real Madrid again.

The Reds suffered a devastating 3-1 defeat in the Champions League final in Kyev four years ago. The early departure of the injured Mo Salah proved crucial as Gareth Bale's spectacular overhead kick helped the Spanish giants secure their fourth European title in five seasons.

That result was also tarnished by two howlers from goalkeeper Loris Karius, who gifted Karim Benzema the opener before fumbling Bale's long-range effort to ruin any hopes Liverpool had of a comeback. In the aftermath of that defeat, Klopp avoided pointing the blame at his German stopper - and instead conceded that Liverpool made two key mistakes.

Speaking moments after that defeat, the boss said: "The plan is only to play to win, nothing else, not a lot to say. We started well and played exactly like we wanted to.

"The situation with Sergio Ramos [and Mohamed Salah] looked really bad and it was a shock for the team, we lost the positive momentum and they immediately came up.

"We dropped deep and we could not get to Luka Modric or Toni Kroos. We had to run and work, we did that and half-time came. What can I say about the goals? We scored one, they scored three."

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Indeed, the fact that Liverpool dropped too deep and allowed Modric and Kroos too much time were huge concerns for Klopp. The manager will be hoping his side don't make the same mistakes again.

There's every chance there could be a repeat, though, with Modric and Kroos still bossing it in midfield for Madrid; despite being 36 and 32 respectively. The Spaniards have also shown their attacking prowess several times this season, including their memorable comebacks against Chelsea and Manchester City.

Klopp will be crossing his fingers that Liverpool have learnt their lesson - and he won't be the only one motivated to overcome Madrid this time around. Trent Alexander-Arnold is also relishing the opportunity to come up against "European powerhouses" Real Madrid at the Stade de France, where talk of revenge has punctuated the build-up.

Loris Karius after Liverpool's Champions League final defeat against Real Madrid in 2018 (Getty Images)

Liverpool lost in galling circumstances to Los Blancos in the 2018 Kiev finale, but bounced back to lift the Champions League the following year by beating Tottenham in the Spanish capital.

"To even be in with a chance of winning a second Champions League title at this young age is special for me, as it is for everyone," 23-year-old Alexander-Arnold said at a press conference in the bowels of the Stade de France.

"There's been many, many legends of the game that haven't had these opportunities, so to be here is a privilege for me. But I think it goes without saying that we've got world-class opponents standing in our way tomorrow as a team, so we need to be all at it to even come close to lifting that trophy again."

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