Jurgen Klopp has revealed what he told his Liverpool squad that inspired them to their remarkable success over Barcelona in last season's Champions League semi-finals.
The Reds looked to have an impossible task on their hands to reach the final in Madrid after losing the opening leg 3-0 at the Camp Nou.
However, the English giants produced one of football's greatest ever comebacks as they triumphed 4-0 at Anfield to book their place in the showpiece event.
Braces from Gini Wijnaldum and Divock Origi helped the Premier League titans pull of a remarkable turnaround and the night has been talked about ever since.
And now almost nine months on from that famous game, Klopp has opened up about what he told the players before the game that led to such a performance.
“I said two things to the boys: One, it’s impossible—but because it’s you, we have a chance," the 52-year-old told Sports Illustrated .
"And I want everybody to close your eyes for 10 or 15 seconds. Imagine the best game you’ve ever played. That’s exactly the game we have to play tonight. And then the boys played that game.”
“It’s one of the most wonderful stories ever in football."
Liverpool were then able to follow up that success over Barcelona by beating Tottenham 2-0 in the final in Madrid in June to clinch a sixth European crown.
That qualified the Reds for the Club World Cup, which they won for the first time last month as they overcome Flamengo of Brazil in the final in Qatar.
Klopp's men also look in a strong position to defend their European crown and face a return to Madrid to take on Atletico in the round of 16.
The English giants are also on track for a first top-flight title since 1990 with Liverpool currently 14 points clear at the summit.
