Liverpool defeated Tottenham 2-0 in the finals to clinch their 6th Champions League title, their first CL title since 2005 and also their first trophy under Jurgen Klopp's tutelage.
An emotional night for Klopp and his Liverpool side. Alas, Jurgen Klopp has finally won a trophy with this unbelievable bunch of mentally resolute players. This is a team that has character, fortitude and impeccable believe. This is a team that deserves a title, the Champions League for that matter. Forget the Premier League, Liverpool are the Kings of Europe.
Having failed to win the Premier League albeit amassing an incredible 97 point-tally, the Reds didn't despair. Maybe they should have, considering the fact that at one point in time they led City with 7 points in the league. Was it fate flirting with Liverpool and somewhat reminding them they haven't won the English title for 30 years ? Was it fate signalling to the Red family that perhaps Jurgen Klopp looks good and perfectly fits the "runners up" costume having lost his last 6 finals ? What was it then ? Amassing 97 points in the Premier League is no joke. This point-tally should have won them the title, but for Pep's City, being just an inch better.
After surrendering their 7-point lead to City in the Premier League, it seemed as if this remarkable Liverpool side would end another season without a trophy, without a reward for their excellence. Manchester City looked possessed and hellbent on lifting a second PL title on the trot. The League was slipping away and their only hope of silverware was the Champions League. Liverpool were in the semis, a tie with the competitions favourite, Barcelona, further aggravating the difficulty. This was a tough test. In the first-leg, Barça came into the game as Spanish Champions beating Levante four days prior to clinch the title.
In spite of the fact that Liverpool played with unparalleled verve and gusto, the results hardly reflected the performance. 3-0 the scoreboard read, Liverpool's valiant display proving to be a dead loss. The tie was nearly over. A reaction was needed in the second-leg, a response of great magnitude was yearned for by the fans. But this was Barça, this wasn't going to get any easier, especially when the team was without Mo Salah and Firmino, two of their feared trident. Jurgen Klopp knew this, he had vowed some years back, in 2015, to deliver at least a trophy within his initial four years. This was his fourth season, still without silverware, with the PL and CL looking close to impossible to attain.
Then what followed next at Anfield was madness !! Liverpool had overturned a 3-0 first-leg deficit to edge Barça out with a 4-3 aggregate scoreline. Liverpool's fourth goal by Divock Origi sent the Anfield crowd into delirium, as if they had just won the Champions League, it was a scene defined by pure ecstasy and simply orgasmic. Liverpool had done the impossible, onward they match to the finals ! Now it was Tottenham, a team the Reds had defeated twice already this season in the Premier League. If the mighty Barcelona couldn't quench the fire in Liverpool, certainly not Tottenham [with all due respect to Spurs].
Then the "Kingslayer", Divock Origi, showing up again in the Champions League finals, with a sublime left-footed shot to extend Liverpool's lead to two, ultimately handing Klopp his first ever title with Liverpool. The celebrations were wild and loud, the team from Merseyside had just won their 6th CL title, Origi had once again come on to do the trick. All this while Jurgen remained in the zone, until the final whistle. His display of emotions were indescribable. He had said it, and he had done it !
This Liverpool team will go down as one of the best in the clubs history, 97 points in the Premier League, with the Champions League triumph epitomizing such great achievement. The former Dortmund manager has built a great team, he has given this side a new lease of life. Hopefully, an era can be built.
From dreamers to achievers, Liverpool are the new Kings of Europe !
Credited to Bright N. B. Antwi
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