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Wijnaldum: Champions League win wouldn't soften WC blow

Cape Town - Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum insists winning the UEFA Champions League wouldn't make up for the Netherlands' failure to reach the 2018 Soccer World Cup.

The Reds are preparing to take on back-to-back Champions League winners Real Madrid in the final on Saturday and Wijnaldum is relishing the chance to clinch a winners' medal.

However, he admits that even if Liverpool win the competition it still wouldn't make up for the fact that the Netherlands missed out on qualifying for the World Cup in Russia.

Most of Wijnaldum's Liverpool team-mates will be competing at the international showpiece, while he will be on an extended break.

"Oh no, I don't think it will make up for that," Wijnaldum told ESPN. "Of course you will be happy if we win, but it will not change the feeling when the World Cup starts.

"The Champions League is the biggest trophy you can win with a club, but the World Cup is the biggest tournament you can play as a country, so it will not take the feeling away.

"But of course, I will be really happy to win the Champions League."

Kick-off is at 20:45.

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