Jurgen Klopp reveals how Liverpool have evolved since Real Madrid final defeat

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been discussing how his side have evolved since their 2018 Champions League final defeat at the hands of Real Madrid.

The two European powerhouses are set to do battle in the Champions League final once again later this week, facing off in Paris.

Madrid won the last meetings between the pair in 2021, coming out 3-1 winners in a quarter-final tie.

3-1 was also the score in Kyiv when a Gareth Bale masterclass combined with a Loris Karius disaster-class led to Madrid coming out on top.

Liverpool have since developed a great deal under Klopp, though, and won the CL a year after that defeat.

Now, when asked how his side has evolved since then, the manager told UEFA: “Oh, we did it the Liverpool way, which is the hard way. So, we lost [some] big finals, obviously.

“In the first year [of his time in charge], Europa League final and the Carabao Cup final. All of these experiences are important in life. They are. But they are not nice [in] any way.

“So then, we came back and we had to learn [how to win]. We had to learn [how to] be at our top level of focus and concentration in a game like this.

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“To do all the things you do over the years, to use it in such a high, prolific game – and that’s the plan. So yeah, I think if we are not entering a world-class team already but you want to get there then you’re going to have to learn [how].

“And that’s what we did and I’m really happy with how the boys have developed over the years. That’s why the group has been pretty together since then. [This hasn’t] happened a lot but some players are playing a third Champions League final, which is absolutely incredible.”