Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is confident he has fulfilled his promise to make doubters believers ahead of the Europa League final against Sevilla.
In his first press conference back in October the German made the pledge after insisting he saw qualities in the squad he inherited from Brendan Rodgers where others saw none and would ensure people - players, the public, critics - changed their opinion.
And on the eve of the club's first European final for nine years, Klopp believes he has delivered.
"I came here because I was really convinced about the qualities of these players and this squad, despite the doubts people had," he said.
"To see how they have reached this final gives me a really good feeling.
"When I came here there was a big amount of doubt about these players and now I am really happy they can show how strong they are and it is a big opportunity to make the final step this season and achieve something.
"I don't think I've ever felt doubt around me. If that's right I don't know but it makes me completely free to make decisions and for my team and myself to be free to develop together.
"I am really pleased for the boys and that they can be part of the moment with this team.
"We have a big chance and winning tomorrow will make it much more easy for you to see it as a success - and I try to help."
WHEN IS THE MATCH?
Kick off is at 19.45 on Wednesday May 18.
WHERE IS IT BEING PLAYED?
The match will take place at the St Jakob-Park in Basel. Here's all the info you need about the ground.
WHY SHOULD I CARE?
This is Liverpool's first European final in nine years and the only opportunity for the club to make it to the Champions League, with Klopp having put all his eggs in this basket after a disappointing start to the season under Brendan Rodgers and inconsistencies throughout. It's also the Premier League's only hope of European glory, with Manchester CIty out of the Champions League.
Though the Merseysiders are favourites to win in Basel, Sevilla have plenty to play for as they look to become the first team to win the competition for three successive seasons.
CAN I WATCH IT ON TV?
Yes - the match will be televised on BT Sport in the UK. Here's the schedule.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp speaks to his players during training - Reuters
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool boss Klopp will make a late decision on the fitness of striker Divock Origi, who returned to training in the last couple of days after a month out with ankle ligament damage. Jordan Henderson is fit, but the skipper may not start having not been a part of the side which made it through Liverpool's last three Europa League matches.
Sevilla are without Benoît Trémoulinas (knee) and Michael Krohn-Dehli (also knee). Unai Emery is tipped to gamble with defender and captain Coke as he did against Shakhtar, bringing him into midfield to try and dominate play.
MANAGER QUOTES
Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool): "We had pressure, so how could the pressure be bigger tomorrow? The mental side is a big influence obviously there is no doubt about it but all we have done since we have been together we have done to be perfectly prepared for a game like this tomorrow.
"We had a lot of difficult moments but we solved them and we will use that experience.
" In a final you need still to be ready to make mistakes even when (the) whole world is watching because it is all about finding the next solution and using the skill at the highest level - and not being afraid to use that skill."
Unai Emery (Sevilla): "Every time football gives you a chance you have to take it. What we have achieved in recent years is wonderful but you can't stop there; you have to relive it, you have to experience it again. The Sevilla fans know this: they look upon the club as their second wife or second girlfriend.
" Liverpool are among the best 10 teams in the world. They have a great history – they have won the European Cup five times, the UEFA Cup, English league titles. The team have changed under the new coach, they are a happy team. They're like Athletic Bilbao the way they press and give 100%. "
"All my players have special characteristics and we need the best of them against Liverpool; we need everything they have. We want to grow. We can change history and have our names recorded in the history of the competition. We must find a balance, though, to keep our emotions in check so we can be fully focused. We'll need it. "
MATCH BUZZ MATCH FACTS
This is the first ever meeting between Liverpool and Sevilla.
Sevilla and Liverpool have both won all of their finals in the Europa League/UEFA Cup: 4/4 and 3/3 respectively. Actually, no team has won the competition as often as the side from Andalucia.
It is Liverpool’s first European final since 2007, when they faced AC Milan in the Champions League showpiece, losing 2-1.
It will be Liverpool’s 12 th major European final, having previously reached seven Champions League/European Cup finals, three Europa League/UEFA Cup finals and one in the Cup Winners Cup. They have won eight of them (73%).
Liverpool have won each of their two European finals against Spanish opposition, beating Real Madrid in the 1981 European Cup and Alavés in the 2001 UEFA Cup.
Liverpool have lost only one of their 14 games in the Europa League this season (W6 D7), that was against Villarreal in the semi-final first leg (1-0).
Sevilla - Europa League best moments - Imago
Liverpool have never scored more than one goal away from Anfield in the Europa League this season.
Liverpool have had 11 different scorers in this season’s Europa League, more than any other team.
Only one of the last 10 finals in the Europa League/UEFA Cup has seen the team scoring first not lift the trophy (Dnipro, against Sevilla in 2015).
Sevilla have won four of the last 10 Europa League/UEFA Cup finals.They could become the first ever team in the competition to win the trophy three years in a row.
Sevilla have now reached each of the last three Europa League finals, the first side to ever reach the final of this competition in three consecutive years.
In fact, Spanish clubs have won seven of the last 12 editions of the Europa League/UEFA Cup (Sevilla 4, Atlético Madrid 2, Valencia 1).
Sevilla have won three of their eight European games against English opposition (D2 L3), including a 4-0 win over Middlesbrough in the 2006 UEFA Cup final.
Sevilla have won 13 of their last 18 games in the Europa League (D3 L2).
Sevilla played at St. Jakob Park earlier this campaign in the Europa League against Basel, drawing 0-0 in March.
Kevin Gameiro has had a hand in nine (seven goals, two assists) of Sevilla’s 14 goals in this season’s Europa League, including eight in his ast five games (six goals, two assists).
Emre Can has attempted (41) and completed (34) more tackles than any other player in this season’s Europa League.
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has lost his last four finals: the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund in 2013 (v Bayern Munich), the German Cup in 2014 (v Bayern Munich) and 2015 (v Wolfsburg); the League Cup with Liverpool in 2016 (v Manchester City).
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