Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is hoping to be third time lucky at Wembley in the Carabao Cup against Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he hoped to be lucky on his third visit to Wembley when he leads his side out on Sunday.
The Reds manager has been to Wembley twice before but has come away empty-handed on both occasions. He lost the UEFA Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund in 2013 and the League Cup final with Liverpool in 2016. He is, however, unperturbed by his record and believes that it will prove to be third time lucky at the legendary venue.
It is a superstition among sailors that bad things happen in threes. Klopp does not appear to be in the same boat as he believes the number to be rather lucky. History proves him right, given that he won the Champions League on his third attempt. Liverpool fans will be hoping that the trend continues against Chelsea.
“How many times have I been at Wembley and lost?,” asked Klopp. “Twice. That’s good, because usually I do it (win) the third time. That’s the story of my life, a little bit – it’s like this with the Champions League, it’s like this with other things as well.”
"He's an outstanding coach."
Jurgen Klopp recalls when he first heard about Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, back when he was leading the Mainz youth setup…??? pic.twitter.com/UIhn3eFvlR
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 25, 2022
Given that he led the Reds to the Champions League and Premier League titles following heartbreaks in the previous seasons, the German manager’s comments are not for show. Sometimes all it needs is a second attempt – or a third in Klopp’s case.
“So, it’s a good sign and a bad sign,” continued Klopp. “I like the stadium and I liked it when we were there. Both games were really close. Both times we performed pretty well, which is good when you play a final. Yes, both times we lost, but I’m more than happy to try it more.”
German managers have ruled the roost in Europe of late, and two of them will face off at Wembley on Saturday. Thomas Tuchel and Klopp have crossed paths several times and enjoyed similar career trajectories in their early days. Both had their baptism of fire in senior management at Mainz before moving to Borussia Dortmund.
Tuchel replaced Klopp at both clubs when the latter decided to move on. Since then, both managers have enjoyed great success elsewhere and are among the foremost tacticians in the Premier League. The Liverpool boss was effusive in praising his compatriot, calling him ‘incredible’.
“I heard so many good things about him because I’m friends with Christian Heidel, the director of sport at Mainz,” said Klopp, speaking about Thomas Tuchel. “When he started talking about him, he could not stop! It was crazy. Thomas was an incredible talent then, (and) did an incredible job with the youth of Mainz. Then, he took the first team and the rest is history. His way is really exceptional and he’s an outstanding coach and an outstanding manager.”
Klopp’s Liverpool are currently active in all four competitions and could take their first steps towards a potential quadruple if they come out trumps on Sunday. The Reds boss will hope to do just that and will also attempt to write his name into Wembley’s history – this time for the right reasons.
