LIVERPOOL fans paint Kiev red hours before tonight’s Champions League final against Real Madrid.
Supporters are in party mode, ready to cheer on Jurgen Klopp and his men for the showdown at the Olympic Stadium.
Liverpool fans take over Kiev ahead of Champions League finalAP:Associated Press
Klopp has urged his team to deliver one final push towards Champions League glory.
The Reds will be looking for their sixth title in the competition against Zinedine Zidane’s Real, who are dreaming of winning the trophy for a third successive year.
Liverpool have enjoyed a stunning run after starting out in the play-offs against Hoffenheim in August.
Asked about his team’s biggest strength, Klopp said: “The spirit, 100 per cent, that we created. Nine months ago we were a good football team, but the boys are ready for the big things now. Maybe we dreamed of playing in the final, but it is only because of the performances that we are here.”
Liverpool supporters band together in Kiev to get behind the teamReuters
Liverpool fans have taken over Kiev as they prepare to be the 12th man tonightReuters
Liverpool fans are ready to get behind the team against Real Madrid tonightEPA
Ukrainian Liverpool supporters will be hoping to see their club lift the European trophy on home turfAlamy Live News
Liverpool supporters get in party mood with some beers before kick-offEPA
One Liverpool supporter holds his beer in his mouth while waving his club coloursAP:Associated Press
One Liverpool supporter gets fans in the mood with a songReuters
Liverpool fans will be hoping it’s winner winner chicken dinner in KievPA:Press Association
Klopp, who lost in the 2013 final against Bayern Munich as Dortmund manager, said: “I have never been to a Champions League final twice in a row. Experience helps.
“In a second before the game I am sure they will be more confident but that is not where the game ends. We have two weeks to prepare, we watched Real Madrid and we know they are strong, but they have never played us.
“We are Liverpool, we can fight, we can go for the big things, nobody expected us to be here but we are here because we are Liverpool.
“It is an exceptional run to the final, we scored the most goals. They can feel more confident but in the game it does not help all the time. We have to make it difficult for them. We cannot fight on their level, but tactics can bring you up a level. It is worth a try.”
Asked about his feelings ahead of the Wembley final five years ago, he added: “I am pretty sure I was much more excited in 2013, I never expected good things will happen to me as a Champions League final manager and it is difficult to do.
“Sometimes it is a once in a lifetime chance and that is who it felt but we played a fantastic game against an unbelievably strong side and after the game I knew I wanted to have the opportunity to do it.
“I am here because my boys gave me that chance. They fought so unbelievable hard for this and they really deserve to be here. It feels good. I am proud of them. Let’s play football.”
Klopp scoffed when asked about the sneering over Real boss Zinedine Zidane, whose team have finished third in La Liga.
He added: “If people think Zidane he does not have much tactical knowledge.
“If two coaches in the final have no clue about tactics and have race the final – what would that say about the game?
Liverpool supporters take over the streets of Kiev ahead of Champions League finalReuters
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has urged supporters to get behind himAP:Associated Press
Excited Liverpool supporters prepare for massive showdown in KievEPA
Liverpool supporters pose outside of the Olympic Stadium in KievReuters
“Zinedine is one of the best five players of all time and in two-and-a-half years, I am longer at Liverpool than he is at Real Madrid and he has the chance to win three Champions Leagues. He is brilliant and I think he is brilliant, just as he was as a player. It works like a clock from Switzerland.
“I saw his teams play a lot and it is fantastic football. It is chaos when it needs to be chaos, but he has world class players. It is enough for me that we have a chance.
“Zinedine was a fighter all his life, he grew up in Marseille. He didn’t need to fight as a player, he was so much better than everyone else. People made him angry – they asked about his hunger. I are grew up in a forest. Now let’s do what we are paid for.”
Jordan Henderson reckons the Reds are ready to make history.
Liverpool supporters relax in Kiev as they soak up the party moodEPA
Fans toast to Liverpool before their showdown against Real MadridReuters
Asked about have to fill the shoes of legendary captain Steven Gerrard, Henderson said: “I am feeling good, but it is not about me, or filling anyone shoes. It is about us creating history but we want go one step further and remember it for the right reason and that is winning the Champions League.
“Anything can happen, especially in a Champions League. For us as a team, we know Madrid are fantastic with fantastic players. We need to perform to the level we know we can and if we do we know we can hurt Real Madrid.”
Liverpool fans proudly display club flags and scarves ahead of Champions League finalEPA
Liverpool fans are fully behind Jurgen Klopp and his bid for European gloryEPA
One Liverpool supporter goes topless in the sunny streets of KievEPA
Liverpool supporters will be praying their team can lift the real Champions League trophyReuters
Liverpool fans invade Kiev to show support for Jurgen Klopp’s menEPA
Defender Virgil Van Dijk added: “Everyone is relaxed, we are looking forward to it, not many players in their career can play these kind of games. Hopefully we will get the right result.
“Off the pitch I like to be relaxed, but when the game starts I want to be myself and that is to help the to play well. I need to be vocal and we need to try to demand more and I do what I think is right in my position.
“From day one the lads and the manager and the staff have made me so welcome and that helps. The results help. Liverpool is my team, Anfield is my home, I love playing for this club. Liverpool as a club deserves to be in the CL year in year out. To be in the final I hope we can do it.
“It is very special for everyone in the squad to be in the Champions League final. We have all been looking forward to it. We need to enjoy it and give everything we have.”
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