'Last year's defeat made Liverpool more hungry'

"Many things are different (from last year's final). Last year's defeat probably gave them a lot more hunger, so the motivation this season could be even better and they have experience," said Xabi Alonso.

The former Basque midfielder said, "It's a final and anything can happen, especially if both teams are English, as they know each other so well that it's even harder to predict what's going to happen. But to have the feeling and to know what it feels like to play a final is going to be useful to them."

Alonso, who considered being in two finals in a row "incredible," admitted to Liverpool's media that for him Saturday's is easier than last year's, which was contest between two of his former teams, and he was "in the middle of everything.

For the Tolosa this year "is going to be much more pleasant" and hopes that "the result will be better too."

He indicated that the two teams, knowing each other so well, know how they should approach the match, but that he sides with Klopp's team because "he has been doing very well, especially in recent months, which have been very consistent and very regular".

Alonso said that "whatever happens", he has to congratulate the players and coach because being back in the final and is a "success."