Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp dedicated Saturday’s Champions League final in Paris to the people of Ukraine, expressing solidarity with the country in the face of Russia’s invasion.
The game, a repeat of the 2018 final, was originally slated for but was moved to the Stade de France following Russia’s invasion of its neighbor on Feb. 24.
“I am happy that the game is here for thousands of reasons,” Klopp told reporters. The war is still going on and we have to think about that.” Klopp says.
Moving the final to Paris, according to the German, was “absolutely the appropriate message that Russia should understand.”
Moscow describes the conflict as a “special military operation” aimed at demilitarizing and “denazifying” Ukraine. Kyiv and the West label it an unprovoked assault war.
“We are playing this final for the people of Ukraine. I’m sure some people in Ukraine can still see it, and we’ll do it for you, 100 percent of the time “recent,” Klopp explained.
Liverpool is aiming for a third trophy this season after winning the League Cup and FA Cup, while Real Madrid is looking to add to their LaLiga triumph and capture a record-extending 14th Champions League title.
