Liverpool’s Andy Robertson says players are devastated after UCL final defeat

Andy Robertson said he and his Liverpool team mates were “devastated” by their Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid, as Vinicius’ winner condemned the Reds to a heartbreaking reverse in Paris. The Brazil winger’s 59th-minute goal ensured Madrid repeated their 2018 final win over Liverpool to earn their 14th European crown, while only Juventus (five) have now lost more Champions League finals than the Reds (three).

Meanwhile, Jürgen Klopp has now lost more finals in the competition than any other coach (three), and despite winning the EFL Carabao Cup and FA Cup after penalty shoot-outs, Liverpool have failed to score a single goal in five and a half hours of football in major finals this season.

Liverpool’s silverware

With a slim but potential chance to complete the quadruple after embarking on a brilliant four-front trophy hunt this season, Liverpool only have the domestic cups to show for their efforts after also missing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City. Speaking to BT Sport after the game, Robertson said the Liverpool dressing room was a sombre place following the narrow reverse, admitting his side had not reached their highest level at the Stade de France. The Scotland international also hailed Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after he put in a remarkable performance to keep out the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané.

“Obviously it’s quiet, devastated – that’s what happens when you come to finals and don’t win,” Robertson said of the atmosphere among the Liverpool ranks. “We had chances, we came up against an unbelievable goalie tonight, he pulled off some unbelievable saves. But if we’re being honest as well, I think we could have played a bit better, especially in the second half. I thought first half we played well, we were in control, we were the ones pushing. Second half, we didn’t start great, they started getting a hold of the game a bit more. When you come up against an experienced team, they know how to win finals. Once they got their noses in front, they showed that.”

Liverpool dominated for long periods in the French capital, with 24 shots during the game. That tally is the most a team have mustered without scoring in a Champions League final since records began (in 2003-04), and Liverpool were punished for their failure to break the deadlock when Vinicius turned home from Fede Valverde’s shot-come-cross.

That’s football

Robertson was left to rue Madrid’s counter-attacking excellence but praised the Spanish champions for their ability to defend their lead. “We’re a pressing team, we try to press from the front, and it’s worked so much for us this season,” he added. “We were trying to win the ball high up, and obviously they’ve ended up breaking, and then we’ve been caught at the back post, and next minute it’s in the back of your net. That’s football for you, and you have to deal with that. Obviously it’s hard to get back into the game when you’re playing against a very experienced team in these finals, they know exactly how to see out a game. We had our chances, but it just wasn’t meant to be.”