Jurgen Klopp warns Liverpool ‘they do not hang silver medals at Melwood’ ahead of Champions League final

Klopp’s side overcame yet another comeback by Eusebio di Francesco’s Roma, who won 4-2 on the night at the Stadio Olimpico but were narrowly eliminated 7-6 on aggregate

Jurgen Klopp has reminded his Liverpool players that “they do not hang silver medals at Melwood” after they reached next month’s Champions League final in Kiev against Real Madrid.

Klopp’s side overcame yet another comeback by Eusebio di Francesco’s Roma, who won 4-2 on the night at the Stadio Olimpico but were narrowly eliminated 7-6 on aggregate.

First-half goals from Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum saw Liverpool into a 2-1 lead at the break and despite Roma’s second-half rally and several contentious refereeing decisions, the visitors edged through.

The Kiev final will be the eighth in Liverpool’s history and will present Klopp to win the first trophy of his reign since being appointed in October 2015.

The German took Liverpool to two finals within his first year at the club and lost both, and that experience has taught him that simply reaching a showpiece is not enough.

“We were in League Cup final, we didn’t win it. People don’t tell me in the street since then: ‘Thank you for bringing us to the final.’ We were in Europa League final, nobody tells me that. I see no trophies after these games.

“They don’t hang silver medals at Melwood. That’s a pity, that’s the game. There’s still a job to do but that’s how it is. Going to a final is really nice but winning is even nicer. We will be ready then but is Real Madrid. You cannot be more experienced in this competition than Real Madrid.

“I think 80 per cent of the team of Real Madrid played all these finals. They are four times in the last five years and still together. They are experienced, we are not, but we will be really on fire.”

Before facing Madrid, Liverpool must make sure of their place in next year’s Champions League by securing a top-four domestic finish. Victory over fifth-placed Chelsea on Sunday at Stamford Bridge will guarantee them their place.

“We have to play two more Champions League semi finals in the Premier League, that’s the first job to do, but we have two weeks to prepare the final and we will use that time,” Klopp said.