Liverpool’s Audi Cup adventure ended in the heartache of a penalty shoot-out.
Nine changes were made to the Reds’ starting line-up against Atletico Madrid from their emphatic semi-final win over Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.
Dominic Solanke led the line while Sadio Mane and youngster Ben Woodburn operated either side of the summer arrival for the Allianz Arena showpiece.
But that mixture of youth and experience found itself behind after just 33 minutes when Keidi Bare pounced after Danny Ward had parried Angel Correa’s shot.
Klopp responded to the setback by introducing the likes of Divock Origi, Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino and new signing Andy Robertson at the break.
Two of the substitutes repaid the Liverpool manager’s faith with just seven minutes of the game remaining as Origi was tripped in the penalty area.
Firmino made no mistake as he wrong-footed Miguel Angel Moya in the Atleti goal to level up the tie and send the final into a round of spot kicks.
The Brazilian also converted from 12 yards in the shoot-out, as did Origi, Marko Grujic and Ryan Kent while Fernando Torres scored against his former club.
Jordan Henderson was the only Liverpool player to miss, allowing ex-Chelsea defender Filipe Luis to seal victory for Atleti at the Allianz Arena.
“If you get to a penalty shootout you want to win it, but that’s not the important situation that we have today,” admitted Klopp.
“The boys played really well, they were very good in their preparations and you couldn’t have had a more difficult job than we did today against a team like Atletico, who get results, results, results.
“We had a lot of substitutions and were a bit tired from all the training, so it can’t be easy. If you can do it better then great.
“We lost the penalty shootout, but I am not absolutely down and out about it.”