Jose Mourinho hailed Jurgen Klopp’s resolve after Liverpool’s Champions League Final win over Tottenham .
Mohamed Salah’s early penalty and Divock Origi’s late strike handed the Reds a sixth European Cup and the German his first trophy as Kop chief.
Klopp had previously contested the final in 2018 – as Liverpool lost to Real Madrid – and oversaw Borussia Dortmund’s run to the final in 2013, before ultimately falling to rivals Bayern Munich at Wembley.
At the Wanda Metropolitano working for beIN Sports, ex-Chelsea and Manchester United boss Mourinho heaped praise on Klopp, and declared himself “very happy” for the Anfield chief.
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“A manager who reached three Champions League Finals, it’s hard to lose one, must be very, very hard to lose two and today I think it’s a phenomenal day of his life, of his career.
“As a colleague, I’m very happy with it.”
As Klopp ended his Merseyside trophy drought and a run of six successive final defeats, Mauricio Pochettino continue his run of not winning a trophy in his managerial career.
Mourinho admitted having sympathy with the Argentine.
“On the other side, that’s the drama of football and sometimes it’s not fair,” said Mourinho. “Mauricio has four very good years at Spurs, brings them to the final of the Champions League and is still waiting for the first trophy, not just with Tottenham but of his career.
“I feel very sorry for Mauricio. But I think the English fan, the English supporter, is very loyal and they know when people give everything. They are a bit different to other countries, where everything is about just the winning.
“I think the Tottenham fans are proud of their team, they still look to this team and this manager.
“So I think Tottenham will feel some love at home.”
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Mourinho wasn’t the only one singing Klopp’s praises, with skipper Jordan Henderson declaring that, without Klopp, Liverpool’s achievement would have been “impossible”.
“Without this manager this is impossible,” said the Reds skipper. “You go through tough times in a season, but what he has done since coming in is unbelievable.
“There’s such a togetherness, he has created a special dressing room – all the praise goes to the manager.
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“I’m so proud to be a part of this football club and to cap it with this is so special to me .
“I just try to give my best every time I play football and to help my team no matter what. I’ve had tough times but I’ve kept going – just as this club has.
“It’s the best moment of my life, this is what I dreamed of since I was a kid.
“It’s not about me, it’s not about me being captain or lifting the trophy, it’s about this club, these players, this manager. Now we must keep going and kick on.”
