Jurgen Klopp is ‘really happy’ his team will be a part of a significant footballing moment in Wednesday’s UEFA Supercup Final, with a female official set to take a charge of a major men’s European match for the first time.
Stephanie Frappart will oversee the clash with Chelsea, alongside two female assistant referees.
Frappart already made history in April when she was placed in charge of a Ligue 1 game between Amiens and Strasbourg and she then went on to referee the Women’s World Cup final earlier this summer.
Asked in his pre-match press conference for his thoughts, Klopp said it was a ‘smart decision’.
“Finally, I think it is time,” he told reporters including Ian Doyle of the Liverpool Echo. “I have had experience of this in Germany. I’m really happy we can be part of this historical moment.
“It’s a smart decision to finally have a woman referee a very, very important game.”
This is of course an important milestone, but as soon as the whistle sounds on Wednesday night, Frappart and both sets of players and fans will want the focus to be totally on the football.