Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has insisted last season’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid didn’t have any adverse effect on his side. The Reds are preparing for their Champions League opener against Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday.
Liverpool’s fairytale run in the Champions League came to a halt as they were hassled by a superior Madrid in Kiev. A Loris Karius blunder saw Madrid going ahead in the final but Sadio Mane reduced the deficit a few minutes later to provide some hope to the Reds.
But a brace from Gareth Bale killed Liverpool and saw Madrid lifting their 3rd consecutive Champions League title. Klopp feels they have left the incident much behind and are looking to start afresh this season.
“No damage. No, absolutely not.
“I think we got a lot of respect because of the way we played last season and I think everyone who saw the final saw that we could have won it against a side in a completely different moment.
“They see the games we played. They saw City, they saw Rome, they saw Porto. They saw so many games which we played in a really good way. There was a lot of respect.
“It is a nice experience, it is a nice memory, but pretty sure it will help us in the moment, all that stuff, but at the end we have to start new – using the experience but not relying on it
“The best way is when you are experienced you use your new knowledge and start again – like a virgin if you want.”
