Confident Jurgen Klopp on Liverpool’s Champions League night in Kiev: ‘It's only a football game’

The German added: "I think most of the players will be a bit nervous before the game, that is normal but in the game shoot, strike, cross, make headers, bicycle kicks if you want.

“Do all the things you want in a football game because it is only a football game, a big one for sure, but only a football game."

He did however admit that while being “only a football game,” it was an important one as the club prepare for their first Champions League final since 2007.

"The Champions League final is really big," he said, adding that he felt the pressure as the team’s manager.

Speaking of his last experience of a Champions League final while managing Borussia Dortmund in 2013, he said: "As a manager you have a lot to do in preparation, being convinced, being cool and calm. I am pretty sure I was much more excited that time, I never expected these good things happen to me.

“Going to the Champions League final is difficult to do, maybe a once in a lifetime chance and I know that is how I felt at the time. We played an unbelievable game against a strong side and after the game I knew I wanted to have that chance again.

"It took a while, but I am really happy to be here with this group of players. They fought unbelievably hard to be here, they deserve it. I'm really proud. Let's play football."

Speaking of the threat posed by Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid, he said: "When you see Real Madrid play you say 'wow they are really strong' but they never played us.

“Nobody expected us to be here, but we are here because we are Liverpool. We are not only a really good football team. This club has it in its DNA that it can really go for the big things. Nobody expected us to be here, but we are here. Because we are Liverpool.”

Klopp added that his club’s biggest strength was: “the spirit, 100%. The boys are ready for big things.

"We have to make it as difficult as possible for them [Real Madrid]."

Liverpool last won the Champions League in 2005 in a tense final against AC Milan, which was ultimately decided on penalties.

Asked whether or not forward Mohamed Salah could aspire to the likes of Real opponent Cristiano Ronaldo, Klopp said: "If Mo can go there...he has fantastic potential. This season he's been exceptional, unbelievable. The next few years will show whether he can do something similar."