Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool have done it.
After just barely qualifying for the Champions League on the final day of the 2016/17 Premier League season, the Reds are heading to Kiev to meet Real Madrid in the final.
It’s quite an achievement from a team who were tipped by many to struggle in the group stages.
They may have lost 4-2 on the night in Rome, but their 5-2 win at Anfield last week saw them over the line, with the 7-6 aggregate score setting a record for most goals ever in a Champions League semi-final.
Klopp was understandably in a celebratory mood after reaching his second Champions League final in five attempts – the other was with Borussia Dortmund in 2013.
And the German was full of praise in his post-match press conference for how his team coped with the situation.
“That this group have got to the final is exceptional,” he said. “We’ve had all the knocks all season, and we carried on. We cannot go to a CL final with nice football constantly, you have to suffer from time to time. We suffered!”
They certainly did suffer. After the game, Liverpool fans were kept in the stadium for their own safety, and they had to remain there until the early hours.
And to keep their spirits high, Klopp came out while his team were celebrating in the dressing room to show his gratitude once again.
We’re in here till 1am, but look who just came to pay us a visit! 🇮🇹🏆🔴 pic.twitter.com/7esg7Qn21y
— Oliver Bond (@Oliver__Bond) May 2, 2018
Have a look at Klopp just now. You will love this @ViasportFotball pic.twitter.com/u2UkTVoLtA
— Jan Aage Fjortoft (@JanAageFjortoft) May 2, 2018
The bond we’ve got with these players now is unbreakable. Can’t remember the last time the relationship we had with the players was so strong. Up the Reds 🔴 pic.twitter.com/P3fRVLRyyF
— Oliver Bond (@Oliver__Bond) May 2, 2018