Classy from Klopp after the game.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has admitted that he ‘really feels’ for Chelsea after their ‘heartbreaking’ FA Cup final defeat to the Reds.
Klopp’s men kept their slim hopes of securing an unprecedented quadruple alive after once against beating Chelsea on penalties at Wembley.
The Reds – who overcame the Blues in the EFL Cup final in February – won the shootout thanks to substitute Kostas Tsimikas’ spot-kick, with Cesar Azpilicueta and Mason Mount missing for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Both sides had chances to win the match in normal time, but they were unable to break the deadlock – with neither team able to grab a goal in extra time, too.
Klopp comments on Chelsea.
Speaking after the match, Klopp insisted that it was ‘heartbreaking’ for Chelsea and that they also deserved to win.
“It’s heartbreaking to be honest for Chelsea,” Klopp said. “In a shootout there must be a loser and they are unlucky again.
“It was an incredible, intense game against Chelsea – they would have deserved it [the win] exactly the same way, like in the Carabao Cup – that’s how small the margins are.
“I couldn’t be more proud of my boys, the shift they put in, how hard they fought, early changes.
“All of these things, missing good chances, overcoming good moments from Chelsea, then having really good moments ourselves.
“Then in the penalty shootout, it was nerve-racking, my nails are gone but I really feel for Chelsea – for the second time, 120 minutes and you get nothing, that’s too hard. But for us I’m pretty happy.
“We are mentality monsters but there were mentality monsters in blue as well – it was one penalty. Chelsea played outstanding but in the end there must be one winner and that was us today.”
FA Cup and EFL Cup holders Liverpool are still in the Premier League title race, and will face off against Real Madrid in the Champions League final later this month.
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