Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have stressed their desire to bring a sixth European Cup back to Liverpool, in part to reward Jurgen Klopp‘s work.
The Reds take on Tottenham in the Champions League final on Saturday, with the full-back pair both likely to start in Klopp’s back line.
Having both featured in the 3-1 loss to Real Madrid in last year’s showpiece in Kyiv, there is further motivation to go one better and lift the trophy in Spain.
Speaking as part of Liverpool’s pre-match press conference at the Wanda Metropolitano on Friday, Alexander-Arnold insisted loss in previous finals won’t be in their minds, but that defeat in Ukraine will add “that extra one or two percent.”
“They’re past us. Obviously I think on behalf of me and Robbo we weren’t playing in [the 2016 Europa League final in] Basel,” he told reporters.
“We learned a lot from the game, we’ve used things throughout the season that we learned in Kyiv.
“We’ve matured as a team, we’ve shown how we can win games, hold onto 1-0 leads, keep clean sheets.
“Throughout the course of the season we’ve proved why we’re such a good side and that’s because of the experience we’ve had so far.
“I don’t want to feel how I felt last season in Kyiv tomorrow, that will be running through my mind during the game and maybe make me put that extra one or two percent in.”
Robertson built on this, with the Scot reflecting on the “horrible feeling” after falling at the last hurdle in 2018.
“As a ‘new’ squad it’s our first time being in the final. It was our first title challenge and our first time making the Champions League final,” he said.
“We’ve kept our standards pretty high this season, we can’t focus on Kyiv or Basel or something because those games are done.
“We’ll be trying to create different feelings, because last year was a horrible feeling after the game.
“We hope to have a lot better feeling this time.”
A key aspect behind Liverpool’s run to two consecutive finals is the leadership of Klopp, and the belief he instils in both the squad and their support.
Asked whether the squad are eager to provide the manager with his first trophy since moving to Merseyside, Robertson agreed, though adding that victory would be for “everyone.”
“We don’t just do it for us and our family, we do it for the manager, coaches and everyone behind the scenes at Melwood,” he continued.
“We do it for every single one of them who put their lives into making sure we’re all right.
“Since he’s come here he’s changed the way the club is, we obviously want to try to repay him with a trophy.
“Squads before have come close and just fallen short, it’s about trying to make that next step.
“It’s not just for him, it’s the team behind him. Of course, it’ll be nice to see him with his hands on the trophy.”
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