Jurgen Klopp believes his team can become Liverpool legends if they beat Sevilla in the Europa League final tonight.
The Reds have travelled to Basel for their first European final for nine years with Klopp looking to end his first season as manager with the club’s first piece of silverware since 2012.
But having had so many memorable nights in Europe this season, from silencing Old Trafford to Dejan Lovren’s last-minute winner to complete an incredible comeback against Borussia Dortmund, Klopp now believes tonight is the night where his players can truly become part of Liverpool folklore.
“It is a wonderful story to tell your grandchildren when you are old about being a Liverpool legend,” Klopp told The Times.
“How it feels to be a Liverpool legend I have no idea — but it is one of the best things you can feel in football. I would be really pleased for the boys if they can do it.
“You win it, you get the trophy, you are then a European champion and you have to work with it. You have to use the confidence in the right way. We are far away from the end of a development, this team is still developing.”
Liverpool have not won the Europa League in its current format but did win its predecessor, the UEFA Cup, three times. The last time they did so was against Spanish opposition in 2001 when Gerard Houllier’s side won 5-4 in extra time against Alaves in Dortmund.
That’s not their most recent trophy in Europe though as winning the Champions League under Rafael Benitez in 2005 helped them secure a place in the Super Cup final too, which they also won.
Now, 11 years on from their last European triumph, Klopp will lead out his side in Switzerland tonight and hope to go down in the club’s history.
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