Champions League final 2019: Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp a ‘perfect fit’, says club owner John W Henry

A second Champions League final appearance in succession and a revival in the Premier League has Liverpool’s American owners delighted with what their manager has already given them

Jack de Menezes
Friday 31 May 2019 16:16 BST
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Liverpool players train ahead of Champions League final

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Liverpool owner John W Henry believes manager Jurgen Klopp is a "perfect match" for the Premier League club, explaining that the German has been the right fit from the top down in turning their fortunes around.

Ahead of the Champions League final against Tottenham, the American arrived in Madrid to watch his club attempt to win the first European crown of his ownership, which would stand as the sixth time in history that Liverpool have won the European Cup.

Henry watched on as Liverpool missed out last season in the final defeat against Real Madrid, but this year they go into the showcase match as favourites ahead of underdog Spurs.

But choosing instead to reflect on what Klopp has already given Liverpool as opposed to what they may achieve in the future.

"I'm just glad we're still standing on the last day of the season,” Henry told Sky Sports.

"We're playing great football and the guys have waited to get back here so I feel good about tomorrow."

The American praised the impact of Klopp at Anfield, adding: "It was a perfect match for his personality, his persona and the kind of football that he wants to play.

"He's just been a tremendous head of the club from the perspective of the fans and organisationally."

Henry added the second successive European final did not make up for Liverpool finishing second in the Premier League.

The Reds were just a point behind champions Manchester City in the 2018/19 title race, and Henry said: "We'll be focused on winning next year.

"Not winning the Premier League this year gives us an even larger goal for next year, sort of like going back to the Champions League final this year was something that our guys set their minds to."

Additional reporting by PA

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