After Liverpool were humbled by Real Madrid 3-1 in the Champions League final, Reds’ coach Jurgen Klopp was understandably melancholic in his post-match press conference.
A calamitous display from Loris Karius, as well as an early injury to Mohamed Salah made a tough night for Liverpool even worse.
A goalless first half was notable as Salah went off in tears after dislocating his shoulder. Then early in the second, Karius threw the ball into Karim Benzema and the ball tricked into he goal.
Following a quick Saido Mane equaliser, substitute Gareth Bale scored quite possibly the best ever goal seen in a Champions League final, bagging an overhead kick from the edge of the penalty area.
The Welshman then smashed in his second from 30 yards, though much of the culpability will be laid at the door of Karius who let the ball slip through his fingers.
Was Salah’s injury the moment that changed the game?
“I want to congratulate Real Madrid first. Of course, it was a big moment in the game, it sounds like you are a bad loser when you say things like that. It was kind of a harsh challenge, a bit like wrestling and it is a serious injury, which shocked the rest of the team which was obvious and that gave Real Madrid some positive momentum. We could adjust a few things at half time, then the goals were quite strange, but that is how it is now, and the result is 3-1 to Real Madrid.
Was the main difference being Real could bring on €120m Gareth Bale?
“I would love to say no, but he was very decisive and the overhead kick was an unbelievable goal, we hit the post and had set pieces. The difference is that you need a bit of luck, we had no luck, but ij fact had bad luck. We have to accept that. But at the moment, we see all these situations and wonder how it all happened.
Was the injury the start of the nightmare?
“It is very bad for us, Egypt, and everyone, but it is part of the sport and things like that can happen. We were playing good football until then, we kept the ball, created chances and pressed high in the first 30 minutes, but in 10 years from now, no one will speak of how we lost.
Did you play against money and commercialism in football?
“If things weren’t as bad for us, we could have won the game. If Salah was on, if Karius didn’t make mistakes… but it is all IF. We have to accept it.
What is Karius saying?
“There is nothing to say, I feel for him. His mistakes were obvious, he knows that, I know, and you know that. We all have to deal with it. It clearly wasn’t his night.
Are Real Madrid invincible?
No
Would you change something from your pre-match prep?
No
How are you?
“I’m not fine, but I try to be professional, I’m turing 51 next month and I know how to deal with defeat and we all feel bad and the way home wont be the best. We wanted everything and got nothing. We lost an important player, not just the final. We tried everything to win it and I did the best I could but it wasn’t good enough.
