Liverpool’s Champions League final charge has it roots in Hong Kong, where Jurgen Klopp got a glimpse of what needed to change

The Reds’ journey to Kiev began in Hong Kong Stadium back in July last year when they picked up the Premier League Asia Trophy

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp poses with a fan as the club arrive at Hong Kong International Airport ahead of the Premier League Asia Trophy last year. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 2:45pm, 21 May 2018Updated: 10:45pm, 21 May 2018

It’s funny to think Liverpool’s journey to this weekend’s Champions League final in Kiev began with a makeshift night-time training session at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground.

An amber rain warning had forced the club to cancel plans for an open training session earlier that afternoon for local fans at Mong Kok Stadium last July.

“You think you cannot train but we did, under the most difficult of circumstances,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said in Hong Kong. “I love it – I want to create difficult situations.”

Getting creative in tough times is what has brought Klopp and Liverpool to a showdown against Real Madrid – and there were no stickier situations than those faced in a sweltering Hong Kong, where they beat Crystal Palace and Leicester to lift the Premier League Asia Trophy.

Liverpool celebrate after winning the pre-season tournament in Hong Kong Stadium. Photo: Edward Wong

“You can’t read too much into pre-season games and results, but we knew we were on the right road,” former Liverpool defender Jason McAteer, who was in Hong Kong as a club ambassador for the tournament last July, told South China Morning Post.