Jürgen Klopp has told the Club’s official website last year’s Champions League heartache has had a “big influence” on his side.
Klopp made the comments in his press conference ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final in Madrid against Spurs.
Liverpool were beaten 3-1 in Kiev by Real Madrid last season in a game that Klopp says has shaped his team this season.
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Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com: “It had a big influence on us.
“I remember that situation when we were standing in the queue at the airport in Kiev on the way home, all in tracksuits, heads down, everybody really frustrated [and] very disappointed about the situation.
“I think that pretty much each team that lost the final would think ‘we’ll put that right at some point, but not a chance next year’ and we have the chance.
“It was the kick-start for the development of this team, 100 per cent.
“From the first day in pre-season when we were all together, from the first matchday it was a big, big step for the boys.
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“The plan was to come again, to be there again. Now we are there and it’s incredible.”
Last year’s final was marred by two mistakes from Reds keeper Loris Karius which ultimately ended Liverpool’s hopes in Kiev.
Mohamed Salah was also forced off in the first half with a shoulder injury after a clash with Sergio Ramos.
The Reds never really recovered, and the wound is still fresh – which is why Madrid is being relished so much.
Coming so close to glory has undoubtedly acted as a catalyst to push Liverpool onto another level this season.
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Liverpool amassed their highest ever league points tally and were only denied the title by a superb Manchester City side.
Having narrowly missed out on the Premier League title, memories of Kiev will be pushing the side on even further.
Coming so close to glory in both Europe and domestically in the past year will add an extra edge to Liverpool’s game.
Liverpool is a club that is steeped in history and past success, and everyone at the club wants more silverware.
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There’s a feeling that it would be grossly unfair for this side to remain trophy-less after the final.
Those involved in Kiev last season will need little more encouragement from Klopp to ensure they’re not disappointed on Saturday.
Klopp knows this, and sees how they’ve used this to drive themselves forward this season, hopefully to even more success.