Gareth Bale and Cristiano Roanldo are well known to Liverpool
photos” Ali Gilmore
The Champions League final is finally here. Real Madrid hope to make it 3 wins in a row, whilst Liverpool are aiming to add to their 5 trophies in European footballs top competition.
Liverpool have blitzed their way through the competition by virtue of scoring as many goals as necessary to make it through. It’s been scintillating, high energy football which has produced some classic ties to be remembered.
Mo Salah is the dangerman for Liverpool, the Egypt winger has scored 46 goals in 54 games for Klopp’s side this season. In the view of some Liverpool fans (play video below), he could achieve legendary status tonight in his first season if his goal secures the trophy.
Real Madrid aim to break another record in the Champions League, the kings of this competition. Their route to the final has not been plain sailing. Losing out on top spot in the group stage to Tottenham and needing a 97th minute penalty to make it past Juventus, they have been ruthlessly efficient throughout.
Ronaldo has hit form for the latter stages of the Champions League, a vast improvement on the tail end of 2017. Zidane is yet to get knocked out of the Champions League as a manager, and he won’t want this to be the first time.
Team News
Real Madrid have a fully fit squad to choose from, with Gareth Bale being the one to keep an eye on. The Welshman has spent much of the season out of favour but has recently hit a rich vein of form to push for a starting berth.
Liverpool have had the good fortune of Emre Can and James Milner both making the squad for the game. Giving them plenty of options in the midfield roles. Joe Gomez and Joel Matip continue to be long term absentees.
Match Stats
Liverpool have lost just two of their previous seven finals in the competition, vs Juventus in 1985 and their most recent one against Milan in 2007.
This is Liverpool’s eighth European Cup/Champions League final, three more than any other English side.
This is Real Madrid’s 16th appearance in a European Cup/Champions League final, more than any other side in the history of the competition.
Predicted Line-Ups
Real Madrid – Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Casmeiro; Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema
Liverpool – Karius; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson, Milner, Wijnaldum, Henderson; Mane, Salah, Firmino
Prediction
Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool
Despite Liverpools fantastic run and ability to score goals at will, Real Madrid are a well oiled machine. Born winners and will not be blinded by the emotion that may hinder Liverpool players.
