Jurgen Klopp has insisted that Liverpool’s players are ‘in the perfect moment’ to become legends in Wednesday’s Europa League final.
The Reds face reigning champions Sevilla in Basel, with a place in next season’s Champions League up for grabs for the victors.
And Klopp suggested that his players, who have already beaten a host of top sides en route to this year’s final, are ready for the big occasion.
He said: “We are here because we beat Dortmund? Right. We beat Man United? Right. And Villarreal? Right.
“In my opinion we are really in a perfect moment to play a final. That doesn’t mean all is already done. No, it’s far away from this. It’s only about the preparation.
“This hard, intensive seven months feels like it should end in a final. Always working for each point, each goal and each opportunity in the game; good performances, bad performances.
“At the end you have a final. It’s about being able to show all the things you have learned. I’m really happy. Usually the problem for all teams is that a final is the last game of the season so it has been a long time until then.
“But nobody feels the intensity of the Premier League season in this moment. We have the breath of fresh air.”
Klopp admitted that the Reds are far from the finished article, but the former Dortmund manager believes his players are capable of writing their names into Liverpool folklore.
“For sure it will be one of the greatest things up until now in their careers,” he added. “I’m not sure if someone has won a bigger title before?
“You win it, you get it and you are then a European champion or whatever but you have to work with it. Of course it gives confidence but you have to use the confidence in the right way.
“If it is the end of the development it is clear it is only in one direction – down. But we are far away from the end of a development, we are still developing.
“It is a very important stage but we can do better. In any part of life it feels wonderful to be champion. It is a wonderful story to tell your grandchildren when you are old about being a Liverpool legend.
“How it feels to be a Liverpool legend I have no idea but it must be one of the best things you can feel in football. I would be really pleased for the boys if they can do it.”