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From the cusp of administration to the brink of sealing a sixth European crown.

It's been some journey for Liverpool Football Club since Fenway Sports Group completed their £300million takeover in 2010.

In a wide ranging exclusive interview with the ECHO, chairman Tom Werner spoke about the remarkable transformation which has taken place – both on and off the pitch.

He explained why with a heavy heart Philippe Coutinho was sold to Barcelona back in January and why he's convinced that Mohamed Salah will remain at Anfield for the long-term.

Werner and fellow owners John W Henry and Mike Gordon will be inside the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium for Saturday night's Champions League final against Real Madrid.

Their eight-year reign has so far yielded one solitary League Cup triumph, but Liverpool now find themselves just 90 minutes away from clinching the biggest prize in club football.

Werner is in no doubt about the catalyst for the Reds' resurgence – the appointment of Jurgen Klopp in October 2015.

“I remember in Jurgen's first press conference he described himself as 'The Normal One',” Werner told the ECHO.

“But in reality he's 'The Exceptional One'. The style of football this season has been so thrilling. I think at our best we are certainly one of the best teams in the world.

(Image: UEFA Pool via AP)

“The road to Kiev has been fantastic and what's exciting about this is that I think we deserve to be in the final.

“I'd like to dwell on what a first-class character Jurgen is. On a personal level, I find him to be one of the most extraordinary individuals that I have ever met in my 68 years of life.

“He's not just a brilliant leader but he has such kindness and a great sense of humour.

“He's beloved by everybody who's in contact with him. He has such integrity. I've seen him react to everyone the same, whether it's a star player or a supporter. He's so thoughtful, charming and kind.”

Two years ago Klopp led Liverpool to the finals of the League Cup and the Europa League but on both occasions they came up short.

Since then through shrewd recruitment and by developing talent he has taken the Reds to the next level.

No club has ever been so prolific en route to the Champions League final.

“We've always been optimistic because under Jurgen's leadership we felt that we could achieve great things,” Werner said.

“There have been so many moments to enjoy and hopefully we'll have one more on Saturday.

“The highlight for me was the home match against Man City - to score three goals in the first 31 minutes was just electric.

"When our front three players have the ball and they are running down the field, it's a thrilling experience to watch.

“I was in Rome for the semi-final and felt the enthusiasm and the passion of our supporters. They were so vigorous, so loud, so happy. When they were chanting 'Allez Allez Allez' you'd have to be inhuman not to feel that chill throughout your body.”

Liverpool have had to clear some significant hurdles this season, not least the departure of Coutinho in January.

FSG dug their heels and refused to sell the Brazilian last summer but with Coutinho still desperate to leave they agreed with Klopp to sanction his £142million exit in the winter window.

“First of all, we would have preferred that Philippe remained at the club,” Werner said.

“It really wasn't a gamble because it wasn't something that we initiated, it wasn't something that we wanted to happen.

“I remember one of our supporters saying when we were privileged to become stewards of the club in 2010 that no player is more important than the club and that has always resonated with me.

“I think when Philippe was adamant about leaving, it was our job and more importantly Jurgen's job to turn the page, move on and do what we could to continue progressing.

“Obviously, Jurgen's strategy was successful. We were very fortunate to be able to finally sign Virgil van Dijk. I think he has stabilised the defence for sure and made the players around him stronger. We have moved on and we have progressed.”

Coutinho hasn't been missed with the front three of Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane wreaking havoc.

(Image: JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Salah, the PFA Player of the Year and the FWA Footballer of the Year, has re-written the record books with his dazzling 44-goal haul since his £36.9million move from Roma.

“I have to say how privileged I am as a supporter to be able to witness the achievements of Mo this season,” Werner said.

“He's one of only three Liverpool players ever to score 40 goals in a season. That in itself is extraordinary.

“He plays in such a brilliant and joyous way. It's such a pleasure to watch him. I felt the same when I was watching Luis Suarez – someone in their prime who was one of the greatest in the world.

“We're privileged to be able to enjoy the play of Mo Salah and I believe he's going to be even better next season.”

Liverpool are set to reward Salah's impact with improved terms and Werner believes he will stay around.

“I am confident. I think he's enjoying his experience at Liverpool,” he added.

“Mo loves his team-mates and he feels the love from his supporters. I'm sure whenever they sing their song for him, I'm sure it registers.

“I know he's very happy at Liverpool so I'm optimistic that he will be playing for us for a long time.”

(Image: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

When FSG bought the club in 2010, Liverpool were a mess both on and off the field. They inherited a manager openly talking about the prospect of a relegation battle.

Now they have a man at the helm who has put the Reds back among Europe's elite.

“This club was just hours away from administration and there was a great sense of uncertainty about the future,” Werner said.

“We knew we had a lot of work to do. I'll admit we've had some stops and starts.

“But we have grown as a club and learned from some of our signings. I am especially proud of all the hard work that went into building the Main Stand.

"That was a challenge I don't think people fully realised how complicated that was in terms of acquiring all the homes to be able to redevelop Anfield.

“I remember Jurgen saying 'it's not what they think about you when you arrive, it's what they think about you when you leave that matters'.

“Now we have a club that's financially stable. We are excited about the future. We have started work on the new training ground at the Academy.

“We are attracting world class players and it's all under the leadership of a man who is one of the most talented leaders, not just in football but the whole of sport.”

What's required now is silverware. Beating Real Madrid would be one of the greatest achievements in Liverpool's illustrious history.

"Our ambition has always been to win trophies," Werner added.

"We've had the opportunity to win other finals. We were in Basel in 2016 and that was a bitter defeat.

"We are the underdogs against Real Madrid. We are trying to achieve success against one of the great kings in the history of the sport.

"They are vying for their third European Cup in a row. They are an experienced team but I know that Jurgen is well prepared and it should be a thrilling match.

"Whatever happens, we've been privileged to have been part of this campaign."