Saturday 5 May 2018 11:27, UK
Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius reflects on a special European campaign, and what the mood in the camp is like.
There were so many scenes of celebration on Wednesday night in Rome's Olympic Stadium. The Liverpool players out on the pitch, overcome with joy as they danced over to their supporters. Then as those fans were kept behind longer into the night, Jurgen Klopp headed over to celebrate too. And of course there was the now obligatory dressing room photo shot - clenched fists and beaming smiles.
Not every player got to experience it all, though. For goalkeeper Loris Karius there was the dreaded tap on the shoulder as he headed off the pitch towards the dressing rooms.
"I got pulled for doping so I didn't get back to the hotel until 1am so I missed out on the celebrations in the changing room," he explains. "It's not what you want because they get you straight from the pitch and you can't even go back to the changing room, but that's just the way it is. If someone told me we'd get to the Champions League final but I'd have to do the doping I'd take it all day."
Sitting down on the grass beside the pitches to fulfil his media duties before heading out for an afternoon training session at Melwood on Friday afternoon, Karius is preparing for another big day on Sunday when Liverpool play Chelsea in the Premier League. But it is Wednesday night in Rome that still occupies the minds of all Reds supporters.
"There were family and friends in the hotel and everybody had a bit of a celebration downstairs in the lobby, nothing too crazy but everyone was just really pleased and it was nice to be with them. A lot of the players were really tired so it was a perfect way to round off the night."
This Liverpool side has grown in stature as the season has progressed. As they stand on the brink of making history, the bond that exists between the players is clear.
"Especially after we beat Manchester City quite impressively we thought: 'Wow, we've done really good and we can reach something special here,'" Karius adds. "I think those two games meant a lot and brought us closer together, with the way we played and with the fans as well in the first game, how amazing they were. We're a great group, you can see that I think. Everyone is working for each other."
For two individuals at opposite ends of their careers, the campaign has been particularly memorable. Away from the headline-grabbing acts of the front three, the dependable maturity of James Milner and the growing confidence of Trent Alexander-Arnold stand out. Karius is glowing in his praise of both men.
"You can always rely on him, he's so important," he says of Milner. "At the start of the season he came on from the bench and now he is starting pretty much every game. It's fantastic to see how much he works for the team, he's really needed. He does the dirty work for us. When you look after the game at how much running he does, it's hard to believe he can do that every three or four days but he does. He's like a machine, a really good player who is so important to us as a team."
Alexander-Arnold, the local lad, an individual who understands the city like no other in the team, but still so young, is living out the dreams of every supporter.
"When I was 19 and started out in Germany I didn't really know what was going on at the beginning and this is 10 times bigger what he is doing right now," says Karius, with a smile. "I think the first chance he'll get to reflect is when he goes on holiday at the end of the season and he can see what he's achieved. He can be really proud to have reached a Champions League final and played a key role with the team.
"He also had a time in the season when he was a bit shaky for one or two games but then how he recovered after was outstanding. To have developed so much, he keeps getting better game by game, I think there's a lot more to come from him."
The game in Rome was a manic affair in an intimidating cauldron. Liverpool were roughed up and unsettled at times but never looked in danger of going out. The late penalty gave the result a more dramatic look than the match deserved.
"Cup games are always different, you have the result from the first leg in your mind and it plays a part even though you don't want it too," Karius explains. "For me it didn't matter how many we conceded as long as we went through. I played my role in the team, but there is always space to improve. I'll take the four goals against me this time and try and keep a clean sheet next time."
So much is being asked of Liverpool right now. There will be no taking the eye off the ball this Sunday against Chelsea, but the players are aware of what awaits in Kiev at the end of the month if they can overcome Real Madrid in the final.
"You'll have that for the rest of your life and be remembered at the club forever," Karius says. "If you want to become a legend here that would be a big step, to win that trophy. Everyone knows how important it is and wants to do it. We know how good it would be, we all dream of it and will give it our all."
You can watch more from our Loris Karius interview on Soccer Saturday, midday on Sky Sports News
