UEFA Champions League Final – Liverpool vs Real Madrid: Match Preview

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UEFA Champions League – Liverpool vs Real Madrid: Match Preview

Source: reuters.com realmadrid.com sportingnews.com

The biggest game of the season, as two of the European heavyweights Liverpool and Real Madrid clash in Paris for the Champions League title.

The European grandmasters Liverpool and Real Madrid eye for the biggest prize in the European club football. The Reds have set their eyes on the seventh title, meanwhile, the Los Blancos want to extend their supremacy for the record fourteenth time.

Stade de France in Paris awaits to host the two giants to lock horns on Saturday.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid: Preview

Jurgen Klopp pre-match press conference: UCL final– Liverpool vs Real Madrid

As soon as Real Madrid won over Man City in the semi-final to set up a clash against Liverpool, Mo Salah tweeted “We have a score to settle”.

Four years ago, a heavy fall under a challenge by Sergio Ramos led to Salah leaving the field in tears in the Champions League final in Kyiv. Later, Real Madrid clinched the title with a 3-1 victory.

Totally understand, in the manner, Salah came off early in that game injured that was tough. But the boys wearing the Liverpool shirt don’t need any more motivation in a Champions League final.

Moreover, it doesn’t get much bigger than a Champions League final against the record holders Real Madrid.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side have been simply astounding over the course of this season’s Champions League. The Los Blancos defeated reigning champions, Chelsea after going 3-0 down at the Bernabeu. Humiliated Pep Guardiola after scoring right at the death and snatched Man City’s spot for the final.

Having led 5-3 in aggregate with just a few minutes to go Los Blancos did a spectacular comeback. Rodrygo netted twice to force extra time, meanwhile, captain Karim Benzema’s penalty kick electrified Santiago Bernabeu.

But since lifting the La Liga, the Madrid giants took their foot off the gas slightly. Real only managed to win one of their final four top-flight fixtures in 2021-22.

Moreover, Ancelotti will also be wary of the fact that his side have failed to keep a single clean sheet in this season’s Champions League knockout stages.

Meanwhile, since losing to Inter Milan at Anfield, Liverpool have scored at least twice in the rest of their Champions League fixtures this term.

Liverpool had a remarkable season, as they lifted two domestic cup trophies this season. Also, they were very close to lifting the Premier League in the final, ultimately losing it by a single point.

But if not the Quadruple, the Treble is up for taking for Liverpool.

Saturday’s encounter will mark the 10th time that Liverpool have appeared in the final of the European Cup/Champions League. Besides, third Champions League final in five years for the Anfield club.

Many members of the current Liverpool squad were part of the humiliating defeat by the hand of Real Madrid at Kyiv. Revenge is firmly on the agenda for some of them, none more so than Mo Salah.

Team News

Injury-prone Thiago Alcantara was headed straight down the tunnel before the end of the first half against Wolves after sustaining an Achilles injury.

Initially, Klopp was gloomy about Thiago’s chances of featuring in the final. But the Reds boss has renewed hope over Thiago’s availability on Saturday.

On the other hand, Fabinho and Joe Gomez both have returned to full training after sustaining knocks. Moreover, the Brazilian is expected to straightway be part of the starting XI.

However, Van Dijk and Mo Salah are expected to start in the final having been on the bench last weekend.

Furthermore, the primary pair of Van Dijk and Joel Matip as the center-backs in the back four is anticipated.

Liverpool’s possible starting lineup:

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Mane, Diaz

Liverpool vs Real Madrid: Anfield Home Prediction

It’s a tough one to predict.

Attackers of both sides are just not possible to sedate. With the likes of Salah and Mane on one side and Benzema and Vinicious Jr on the other, goals are certain.

Liverpool’s high line defense is surely a risk against a Real Madrid side having Karim Benzema and two Brazilian star boys.

The return of Thiago and Fabinho will be massive for Liverpool. The tie could be decided all away to the spot-kicks.

Liverpool looks very likely to prevail over Real Madrid. Liverpool 2-2 Real Madrid (A.E.T- Liverpool to win on penalties.

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