Long before their humiliation at home against Real Madrid, Jürgen Klopp urged Liverpool supporters to book hotels for this year’s Champions League final.
Although the Premier League and Champions League-winning manager was merely attempting to keep fans upbeat after their second loss to Real Madrid in the final in five seasons, the statement has not aged well.
Although racing to a 2-0 lead in the round of 16 first leg, conceding five goals at home has rendered their chances of reaching the final or winning a trophy this season implausible.
Last year, Klopp remarked, “I know it’s a success you desire, but I have a strong feeling we will return.”
“This is the case because the lads are extremely competitive, we have an incredible group, we will have an outstanding group again next year, and then we will go again.
Clearly, we must try a bit more frequently than others, but that’s not an issue. Where will it be in 2019? Istanbul. Reserve the hotel!”
Klopp was left wondering what could have been after goals from Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah, followed by two from Vinicius Jr, one from Eder Militao, and two from Karim Benzema.
He stated to BT Sport, “The beginning was great. It sums us up in a nutshell. It was ideal, precisely as we desired to play. Aside from the goals, the entirety of the first half was amazing.
“After the first goal, we became significantly less aggressive on the field; we stopped chasing them. The second objective is hilarity. It should not occur, but it could occur, 2-2.
He concluded, “We shall play a football game there. It will be a formidable obstacle. Yet, we must first compete in the Premier League and ensure that we learn from this match.”
Liverpool, currently ninth in the Premier League table but still in contention for a top-four finish, will play four league games before the second leg.
After consecutive league victories, Liverpool is seven points behind fourth-place Tottenham and has two games in hand.