Steven Gerrard reveals Jurgen Klopp had ‘two or three pints and a couple of smokes days before Champions League final’

STEVEN GERRARD has revealed Jurgen Klopp enjoyed a few pints and a couple of smokes with him at the pub just days before Liverpool’s Champions League final last season.

The Reds came up short against Real Madrid in Paris 10 months ago as Vinicius Junior’s second-half strike handed Carlo Ancelotti’s men a 1-0 victory.

Steven Gerrard has discussed his unplanned meeting with Jurgen Klopp in a local pubGetty

AP:Associated PressGerrard has praised Klopp for the warm and friendly reception he gave him[/caption]

But in the week leading up to the clash, Gerrard bumped into Klopp at the pub – a fortnight after the German’s team had added the FA Cup to the Carabao Cup they won earlier in the campaign.

The England midfielder has now spoken in depth about the coincidental meeting, praising the Liverpool manager for his warm welcome.

And he also confirmed the pair shared a lengthy stint in the pub together as they discussed several topics.

Speaking to the Anfield Wrap, Gerrard, who was Aston Villa manager at the time, said: “He was walking the dog. I was sitting outside with one of my friends having a couple of pints.

“I shouted over to wish him good luck, because he had a final days later. I thought he’d be in the zone.

“He said to me: ‘No, no, no. Go the bar and get me a pint’. So we get him a pint.”

The Liverpool legend continued: “He ended up having two or three, he had a couple of smokes, his dog waited patiently, and we had a good craic for probably over an hour.

“About football, about life in Liverpool, his plans for the future.

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“He was just really great company to have and it was different from a football environment, it was Jurgen in his plain clothes, his dog walking gear. 

“He was fantastic with my mate, he made him feel part of the conversation and I think that just sums the man up.”

Gerrard was sacked by Villa five months after his meeting with Klopp.

And the Liverpool head coach has also come in for criticism this season as the Reds struggle for consistency.

They sit five points adrift of fourth-place Tottenham in the Premier League table, albeit with two games in hand.

Their defences of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup ended in disappointment.

And earlier this month they were also eliminated by old foes Real Madrid in the last-16 of the Champions League.