Friday 4 May 2018 23:07, UK
Jamie Redknapp reflects on Liverpool's run to the Champions League final, how Mohamed Salah has gone to a whole new level this season and previews their Sky Live Premier League clash with Chelsea on Sunday...
There's something about Liverpool football club. It can transform players and take them to a whole new level.
Yes, Jurgen Klopp has this amazing ability to extract that little bit extra out of everyone, but we're seeing with Mohamed Salah right now what can happen when the Liverpool fans really get behind a player.
We've seen it with Fernando Torres. We've seen it with Luis Suarez. Before them it was Robbie Fowler and Ian Rush. It's like the fans can give certain players a super power.
There always seems to be that one special player appear, where you're like 'I didn't know they had that in their locker!'
We've seen it with Torres, Suarez, Fowler, Rush and now Salah. It's like the Liverpool fans can give certain players a super power.
That's what's happened to Salah this season. He's been sensational. And it will be fantastic to see him and the whole Liverpool team go head to head with Real Madrid in the Champions League final, an incredible moment for those players, the fans and everyone involved.
As well as the brilliance of Salah in attack, for me, there's no way Liverpool would be in this healthy position if they hadn't signed Virgil van Dijk. Loris Karius, and the rest of the defence look better players with him alongside them. He's been amazing and a great influence on that backline.
Hopefully he can give them some more stability and assurance next season, when the target has to be aiming for the Premier League title.
What they did to Manchester City over those two Champions League games proves they can win the Premier League. They just need to find a way to finish off the lesser sides when they sit back against them. And that's where superman Salah comes in.
But that's for the future - right now they'll be savouring this huge achievement of making it to a Champions League final. And thinking about whether they can become heroes in Kiev.
If I was back at Liverpool I'd have so much confidence going into the final with Real Madrid. They certainly shouldn't go there with any fear. Look at what Tottenham did to Real earlier this season, when they pressed them high and hit them on the counter-attack. Of course Liverpool can win this game.
In fact, if it was a normal game at Anfield I'd expect them to do just that. But you have to take into account that it's a final, the history Real Madrid have in this competition and their experience of their last two Champions League wins.
Sometimes nerves in a big final like this can get the better of you and Real Madrid will know exactly what to expect from the occasion.
I make it a 50-50 game - but we all know Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are going to cause Real problems.
The challenge for Klopp between now and then is how he manages his squad. He will know them better than anyone, but which ones does he keep playing? Which ones does he rest?
Some players, when they're in form and flying just want to keep on playing. While others might be feeling the toll of a long season and just need to be taken out of action a little to freshen up.
It's a tricky balance and there will be a lot of dialogue between the players and the manager - how do you feel, are you ready, do you need a rest?
They just need three points from their final two Premier League games to guarantee a top-four finish and you'd expect them to get that - if not away to Chelsea then at home to Brighton on the final day.
They might not even need that if results go their way.
After such a draining Champions League semi-final - mentally and physically - I have to edge towards Chelsea for the match-up at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
There will be one or two players playing for their place in that Chelsea FA Cup final team, desperate to impress Antonio Conte, while it's so hard to raise yourself after a massive European night like the one Liverpool have had.
Chelsea have got to go for it to keep their top-four hopes alive and I think they may just catch Liverpool at the right time.
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