Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has admitted he could not be more proud of his team following their 4-2 victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday evening. The Reds found themselves 2-0 down at half time, but came back to win the game with goals from Salah and Firmino.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said he “could not be more proud” after beating Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
After beating Chelsea on penalties to win the FA Cup, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp claimed he “could not be prouder” of his quadruple-chasing team.
After a goalless 90 minutes and extra time, the Reds won 6-5 on spot-kicks to repeat their Carabao Cup final victory against Chelsea.
Klopp told Sport, “I couldn’t be more proud of my lads, the effort they put in, how hard they battled.”
“It was a fantastic game, a nail-biting shootout, and my nails are all gone.”
Klopp, 54, became the first German manager to win the FA Cup after defeating compatriot Thomas Tuchel for the second time in less than three months in a Wembley final.
The shootout proceeded to sudden death, like it did in February’s final, with Alisson’s save from Mason Mount giving Liverpool the lead before Konstantinos Tsimikas tapped home the decisive penalty.
“It was intense – Chelsea deserved it just as much as we did, just like in the Carabao Cup – that’s how close the margins are,” Klopp remarked.
“Chelsea gave it their all, but there can only be one winner, and that was us today.”
The thrilling victory keeps Liverpool’s fragile quadruple ambitions alive – albeit the Premier League championship may probably escape them – with two games remaining, they trail leaders Manchester City by three points and have a seven-goal deficit.
“We can speak about the quadruple thing since it is so amazing. It’s insane, “Klopp said. “It’s incredible – this was game 60 in a long and arduous season.”
‘Chelsea, too, had mentality monsters.’
Klopp has dubbed his team “mentality monsters” for how they have handled setbacks this season as they pursue greatness on four fronts.
However, after playing their part in another enthralling meeting between the two teams, the Reds coach claimed Tuchel’s Chelsea deserved that label as well.
During a rollercoaster portion of normal time, both teams swapped gilt-edged opportunities, with Luis Diaz and Andy Robertson for Liverpool and Marcos Alonso for Chelsea hitting the post.
“I absolutely feel for Chelsea – for the second time, 120 minutes and no points is too much. But for now, I’m content “Klopp said.
“We’re mentality monsters, but there were mentality monsters in blue, too – the difference was one penalty.”
The FA Cup is Jurgen Klopp’s sixth major trophy as Liverpool manager, after winning the Premier League, Carabao Cup, Champions League, Uefa Super Cup, and Fifa Club World Cup.
While Klopp praised the defeated finalists, Sport experts praised his Reds after they won their second title in their quest for the quadruple.
Former England striker Alan Shearer told One, “What a squad Klopp has put together.” “To have two trophies already and to have done it in such a manner – it requires belief, unbelievable.”
It was the fourth occasion this season that the teams couldn’t be separated after 90 minutes, but Liverpool won on penalties to win their eighth FA Cup, equaling Chelsea’s total.
Jermaine Jenas, a former Tottenham midfielder, added: “They were pushed to their limits. They were examined. The questions were posed, and they once again came out on top.”
Salah’s injury might be a ‘huge blow’ to Liverpool’s hopes.
However, Liverpool’s victory may have come at a cost, as Klopp was forced to remove top scorer Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Robertson at different points throughout the final.
Van Dijk did not return for extra time, however Klopp subsequently said that the defender “injured a muscle” but was “fine,” while Robertson’s problems looked to be cramp-related.
The image of a despondent Salah hobbling off in the first half, with the Premier League championship battle reaching its end and only a week before the Champions League final against Real Madrid, was particularly troubling.
“With Mo going off, it was a major blow,” Reds captain Jordan Henderson told Sport.
“But that’s exactly what we’re about.” The will to dig deep and triumph on penalties is inspiring.
“We’re here to win trophies because we’ve been working so hard all season.” It’s a major deal for us since we haven’t been this far [and] been in this final in a long time, so winning was extra wonderful.
“Some of the talent we have and the people in the dressing room are extraordinary. You put all of it together and you get awards.”
While Manchester City still holds the Premier League championship, Liverpool will be hoping to recreate their 2001 feat of winning two domestic cups and a European trophy.
“We’ve won two games so far this season – we have three crucial games remaining to win and finish the season on a high,” Henderson continued.
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