Andy Robertson insists Liverpool have put league ‘roller-coaster’ behind them ahead of Champions League final

Macdara Ferris reports from Stade de France

Liverpool left back Andy Robertson insists that Liverpool have put last weekend’s league disappointment behind them ahead of the Champions League final against Real Madrid in Paris. 

The Reds lost last time the sides played in the final but Robertson said that the defeat to Real in Kiev in 2018 is not a factor in Saturday’s final and that his team exorcised that ghost when they won the competition in Madrid the following year.

“Sunday was emotional rollercoaster,” admitted Robertson when speaking to the media in the Stade de France on the eve of the game. “We felt bad on Monday and Tuesday we were good to go with a spring in our step. We missed out on one of our goals for the season but we are excited about this game.

“We wanted to fight for everything this season. It is important we take the competitive nature of the season into this final game.” 

In relation to facing Real who beat them in the 2018 final Robertson said that “we wrote that wrong in Madrid when we won Champions League. That was us getting revenge on the competition and becoming winners. 

“Kiev is long in the past and we are focused on this final and want to win this game and lift the trophy,” said the 28-year-old player. “We are so close but this is the hardest hurdle. This is the biggest game in world football. 

“Real Madrid have had a bit more relaxed preparation and wrapped up their league a couple of weeks ago. They have been part of incredible games in the Champions League. It has been a joy to watch.”

Sitting alongside the Scotsman on Friday evening ahead of training out on the pitch, Trent Alexander-Arnold echoed Robertson’s sentiment about just what this match means.

“This is the last game of the season and it is a special  game. It is THE game of the season. To be here is good but to win it would be better,” said Alexander-Arnold. “We are excited to be here. We feel we deserve to be here. We haven’t gotten here by luck. 

“To even be in with the chance of winning a second Champions League title at this young age (23) is special. Many legends haven’t had those opportunities. 

“We put that behind us (losing the league). We have experience to focus on the competition ahead of us.

"Last week was disappointing and it takes a day or two to get over but what better way of getting over that than coming to Paris to an amazing venue and playing in the best competition in the world.”

#refwatch French referee Clement Turpin and his team the first to get their warmup done out on the pitch. Liverpool are next followed by Real Madrid. Jurgen Klopp, Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold will be in shortly for their press conference. pic.twitter.com/okbVzwUp2V

— Macdara Ferris (@macdarabueller) May 27, 2022