Jurgen Klopp recently revisited painful memories of Liverpool’s 2018 Champions League final loss to Real Madrid—a match marred by controversial moments that left both fans and players heartbroken.
The 3-1 defeat is still remembered for the devastating injury to star player Mohamed Salah and two uncharacteristic errors by goalkeeper Loris Karius, whose career was never quite the same after that fateful night.
The final in Kyiv quickly turned dark for Liverpool, largely due to the actions of then-Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos. His infamous tackle on Salah forced the Egyptian forward to leave the pitch in tears during the first half, dealing a severe blow to Liverpool’s chances. Ramos’s challenge was not only harsh but strategically disruptive, as Salah had been Liverpool’s most potent attacking force that season, netting 44 goals across all competitions.
Klopp recently expressed his lingering resentment over that incident in a discussion with Toni Kroos, Ramos’s former teammate, on the Germany international’s podcast, Einfach mal Lupen. The former Liverpool manager didn’t hold back, openly criticizing Ramos for his approach during that critical play. “Is Mr. Sergio Ramos really a good guy?” Klopp asked. “He’s not my favorite player. The action was brutal. Of course, he can’t know exactly that it’s going to injure Salah’s shoulder, but we all saw how readily he accepted the outcome.” Klopp’s words reflect the frustration and disappointment he felt, emphasizing that he could never understand that type of mentality.
The injury to Salah shifted the momentum firmly in Real Madrid’s favor, and Liverpool struggled to recover from losing their star forward so early in the game. Not only was Salah visibly distressed as he exited the pitch, but his departure also seemed to deflate his teammates and change the dynamic of the match. The Egyptian’s absence was a significant blow, considering his incredible impact that season. Fans have long wondered if the game’s outcome might have been different had he been able to stay on the field.
But Ramos’s controversial involvement in the final didn’t stop with Salah. During a corner kick later in the match, the Spanish defender collided with Loris Karius, an incident that led to a concussion for the Liverpool goalkeeper. Karius later made two costly errors, both of which resulted in Real Madrid goals. In hindsight, it’s widely believed that his concussion could have contributed to these uncharacteristic mistakes. The incident was a turning point in Karius’s career—he never fully regained confidence after that game, and it marked his last appearance for Liverpool. Today, at 31, he remains a free agent, a stark reminder of the long-term impact that night had on him.
In the podcast, Kroos naturally defended his former teammate, describing Ramos as a “very good teammate.” However, Klopp stood firm in his disapproval, replying, “He may not be my favourite player, but it doesn’t matter. I always thought that my centre-backs were good enough not to be involved in actions like that.” His words indicate not just a disapproval of the tactics used by Ramos but a fundamental difference in sportsmanship and integrity that Klopp values deeply.
Many Liverpool supporters shared Klopp’s frustration, feeling Ramos’s actions went beyond the acceptable boundaries of competition. His moves were widely perceived as unnecessary and unsportsmanlike, especially for a player of his skill level. A cynical tug on Salah’s shoulder, whether intentional or not, followed by a collision that severely impacted Karius’s performance, left fans feeling robbed of a fair contest. The referee’s lack of intervention only added to the lingering bitterness for Liverpool fans.
In the end, that night in Kyiv left scars on Liverpool’s squad and fanbase alike. Yet, as fate would have it, Liverpool found redemption a year later. In the 2019 Champions League final in Madrid—ironically, on Ramos’s home turf—Salah returned with a vengeance, scoring the opening goal in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham. It felt like poetic justice, a moment of sweet revenge that symbolized resilience and triumph over the heartbreak of the previous year.
Although Klopp’s memories of that 2018 final are marked by frustration and disappointment, his team’s ultimate comeback demonstrated their strength and determination. For Klopp and Liverpool, moving on didn’t mean forgetting; it meant channeling that pain into success. The night in Kyiv may remain a sore spot, but their victory in Madrid became the moment when Liverpool’s resilience finally paid off, leaving fans with a sense of closure after the trauma of 2018.
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