FA Cup: Blame me for Mane penalty miss – Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits his advice almost blew their FA Cup final shootout victory over Chelsea.

Both Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk went off injured during the goalless 120 minutes before Kostas Tsimikas struck the winning penalty though Liverpool are confident both will be fit to face Real Madrid in the Champions League final at the end of the month.

Klopp, who has become the first manager in Liverpool’s history to win the European Cup, League Championship, FA Cup and League Cup, admitted his blunder had almost cost his team.

When Sadio Mane stepped up with Liverpool’s first chance to win the shootout, Klopp urged him to change his usual finish against Senegal international team-mate Edouard Mendy – and Mane’s effort was saved.

“Sadio’s penalty is 50 per cent my responsibility. I told him the goalie knows exactly what you normally do so do it the other way round. How often in my life is it better to shut up!

“But we still made it after an incredible game. We work with a neuroscience company (neruo11) who said they could really train penalty shooting. This trophy is for them as well.”