Jürgen Klopp press conference LIVE: Champions League final latest as Liverpool manager faces media
Follow the latest from Kiev where the Liverpool and Real Madrid managers will face the media for the final time before Saturday’s Champions League final
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Liverpool begin their preparations for the Champions League final after touching down in Ukraine, with 12-time winners Real Madrid standing between them and their first trophy under manager Jürgen Klopp in what could be their most unlikeliest European victories yet.
But despite the European showcase fixture taking centre stage, the build-up to the final has begun in unsavoury scenes though, with a group of Liverpool supporters apparently attacked on Thursday night by a gang of hooligans and a number of flights from the United Kingdom to Kiev cancelled, leaving hundreds without transport to the Ukraine to attend the final.
But on Friday talk about football should return to the fore as both Klopp and Zinedine Zidane, the Real Madrid manager, face the media for the final time before they collide with the Champions League on the line. Follow all the latest news below.
Follow the latest news below...
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Henderson has lamented the situation that means some of their fans might not be able to attend this weekend's Champions League final.
Around 1,000 supporters were left high and dry when operator Worldchoice Sports cancelled three flights because it did not have sufficient landing slots at Boryspil Airport.
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson has said he is "working really hard" to find a situation - alongside Kiev's mayor - former boxer Vitali Klitschko.
Henderson said: "It's obviously disappointing. Difficult for them now to try to get over so we are disappointed for them they cannot come and make the final.
"Hopefully they can find an alternative route but, if they can't, I am sure they will support us back in Liverpool."
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp added: "The club is trying as much as they can to find any solution to fix these things. We don't have too much time but we try everything to bring everyone over to Kiev."
"I am happy with his group of players. They have fought so hard for this and deserve to be here. I am proud of them already. Now, let's play football."
Klopp asked about his opinion of Zidane.
"If people think Zidane does not have knowledge of tactical things, that is funny. People think the same about me. It would be funny if both coaches in the final have no clue about tactics.
"I have said it before. He was one of the best 5 players ever and is now trying to win his third Champions League. I unfortunately have to expect that he is brilliant. I have seen his teams playing many times and they play brilliant football. It is chaos but a good kind of chaos. But it is football and we will have an opportunity as the other team."
Does Real Madrid's superior experience make a difference?
"Experience is important. Before the game they will be more confident than us. But that is not important. We have prepared and analysed.
"But they have not played us. We are Liverpool. Nobody expected us to be here but we are, because we are Liverpool. We have had the most exceptional run with the most goals ever scored. The experience is an advantage but we have to make it as difficult as possible."
Has Klopp changed his philosophy?
"I have never thought about my philosophy. We adapt constantly. We always try to play football."
Klopp on Salah:
"Religion is private as I understand it. I have nothing to say about it. He is fine, he is full of power.
"The Messi and Ronaldo stuff is not important. No manager is interested in that. Ronaldo and Messi deserve all of the praise and all of the things they won, because they have been constantly on that level. And they both score an unbelievable number of goals. Mo has fantastic potential and this season he has been exceptional, with one more game to goal. The next few years will show if he can do something similar, but it is not easy. Messi and Ronaldo are so special because they have been so consistent."
Final question. Real Madrid have a powerful bench. Liverpool play at a high pace, how do you cope with the high pace and then a difference in quality on the bench?
"Nobody has the same quality as Real Madrid. Whoever sits there has big quality. But we're fine with what we have. We have the best bench we have had in weeks. We are in a better position than weeks ago. We are as fresh as we can be. Fitness will not be an issue. To win a final you need a bit of luck so we need some of that too. We need to be ready.
"We never compare what they have with what we don't have. We are in a good position. We have done things our way and want to do it our way again."
And out he goes! Full recap coming your way very shortly.
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