Liverpool coach, Jürgen Klopp has stated that he’s glad that he will not be facing Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane on the pitch when his side clash with the Los Blancos in the Champions League final next week Saturday in Kiev.
Klopp believes Zidane is one of the five greatest players of all time and that the Frenchman has carried that immense quality into his managerial pursuits.
“We’ve played plenty of really big games and we’ve won many of them. It’s obvious that it’s possible to win important trophies at this club,” Klopp told UEFA.
“It’s not easy, but it’s possible. And it’s cool playing against Real Madrid. They’re the defending champions, and they’ve won back-to-back titles in this competition. They’ve done really well under Zinedine Zidane.
“He’s one of the top 10… top five players of all time. And now he’s the coach of Real Madrid, a hugely experienced team on the pitch. That’ll be a nice challenge.
“I’m glad we’re not playing against each other! Me against him, marking him or whatever… I’m very glad I can send my players onto the pitch.
“He’s an extraordinary character in the football world. I appreciate him. I admired him as a player and respect him as a colleague. It’s incredible what he’s been doing with [Real] Madrid. It’s really, really extraordinary.
“That’s why I’m obviously looking forward to it. But we’re not going there to grab some jerseys. I’m not going there to shake his hand, which of course will happen anyway. However, he’s a great footballing legend.”
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