At the start of the season, few expected this result. But alas, here we away, one sleep away from 2:30 PM EST kickoff in Kyiv in the biggest game of the season, and perhaps the past decade for Liverpool. Standing across the pitch from them will be two-time reigning, defending Champions League victors, Real Madrid. Perhaps the two finest front lines in world football will square off as the eyes of all world football will be on these two sides for 90 minutes.
Team News:
Liverpool's 24-man squad included some happy surprises as Emre Can and Adam Lallana were both listed in the 24. Lallana was expected to be fit, however the confirmation that he is indeed ready to play is well-needed for Klopp's men. The depth he should be able to provide off the bench in midfield is vital for the Reds. Also a boost to the Liverpool side is the selection of Emre Can, who Jurgen Klopp says is an "option" off the bench for Liverpool. While we do not know entirely how fit he will be, even just having him on the bench as an option will be nice to have. Additionally, James Milner has been ruled completely fit and overcome a minor muscle injury that kept him out of the final Premier League fixture to be able to fully play a part in the match. The ability of all three to be available and at least fit enough for contention is massive for the final with depth in midfield low following the injuries to Can, Lallana, and Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Real Madrid have called up their entire first-team squad as they have no injuries to concern themselves with. Madrid have their own selection concern of too much quality in the squad that naming a starting eleven will be of great difficulty for manager Zinedine Zidane. The brilliant Madrid attack has featured combinations of just Ronaldo and Bale, Benzema and Ronaldo, as well as all three in recent matches. Additionally, Madrid's midfield also has an abundance of quality. The question of a 4-3-3, which would likely feature Casemiro in the holding position with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric featured, or a 4-4-2 with Marco Asencio and Lucas Vasquez on the wings and Casemiro and Kroos likely in the center, or perhaps a 4-3-1-2 with Isco in playing right behind a front two, will certainly be rolling around in Klopp's mind as Madrid have several options to play with as starters, then even more to bring in off the bench.
Projected Liverpool Line-Up: Karius; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Milner, Wijnaldum; Mane, Firmino, Salah
Analysis: With all starters match-fit, I do not expect any changes out of the Liverpool side. The 4-3-3 has been Liverpool's staple all season as they've very rarely shifted away from it outside of necessity (or in the earlier portion of the season, to fit the front three in with Coutinho). Why mess with a good thing?
Projected Real Madrid Line-Up: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Vazquez, Casemiro, Kroos, Asensio; Benzema, Ronaldo
Analysis: This is just a best guess, but I think Madrid show a 4-4-2 to begin the game. They have plenty of options they could shift this line-up with (Modric or Bale entering the line-up stand out as the key two in place of Vazquez or Benzema) but this seems on par with what Zidane would like to show Liverpool, as well as what he has shown already.
Previewing the Match:
It has already been a spectacular run for Liverpool. It comes to an end Saturday, win or lose. Even the more optimistic Liverpool fans certainly weren't imagining this sort of run that was, for the most part, dominant by Liverpool against Europe's finest. Liverpool's first European final under Klopp was against masters of that competition, a Europa League final against Sevilla. Sevilla owned the second half and trumped Liverpool 3-1. This final is against another team that has ruled the competition Liverpool see them in. This time, the hope will be for the script to be flipped.
Both defenses have exhibited portions of play leaving fans wanting better. Both sides' attacking prowess have torn apart other teams. Perhaps no one, however, has done it more consistently than this Liverpool side. Liverpool have put five goals or more past every single opponent over the combined 180 minutes of football they've seen them in Champions League. Much focus always surrounds the perceived shakiness of Liverpool's back-line, but the stability Virgil van Dijk has brought with his signing has made them a force at the back. Of course, they've yet to face a player the caliber of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The shown improvement or perceived failings need to be set aside as it's going to be all about how these back four can deal with Ronaldo and whomever starts alongside him. These match-ups certainly are intriguing, but perhaps none would be more dangerous for Liverpool than Gareth Bale up against Trent Alexander-Arnold. Arnold has been outstanding and is in line for the first start of a teenager in a European final for Liverpool in their history. Gareth Bale is 28, often injured, seemingly on his way out, someone I don't even have projected in the starting eleven, but yet he seems to be still a match-up nightmare. While he pocketed Leroy Sane over two legs, El Shaarawy of Roma, especially in the second leg, showed his blinding pace and was perhaps their most dangerous man despite not scoring in the bout. If Bale does get the start in the final, that is certainly something to look at as a sign of worry perhaps.
How about the Madrid defense? They've conceded two goals in three of the last four matches to the likes of Sevilla, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, only holding Celta Vigo to no goals. They are shaky and Salah attacking Marcelo could see the Egyptian's eyes light up. The myths of Madrid present them as an unbeatable side. Of course, they are stellar and have survived a brutal gauntlet to this final. However, they are not unflappable and recent results have shown their capability to be attacked if the quality is there. I think Firmino's ability to pressure and press the center-backs will be vital in Liverpool getting a result, as well as strong midfield play. If the battle of progressing up the pitch can be won by Liverpool in the middle of the park and upper third, I like their chances of walking out of Kyiv with number six. If Madrid push their way continuously through the midfield into the Liverpool defense, things could look a bit more worrisome.
Final Thoughts:
Many are considering this to already be a wash and Liverpool to have no chance. I don't think it's fair to write them off, and I think comments like that of Vincente Del Bosque are blind arrogance, however it is fair to note that Liverpool will have a tough task ahead of them. Klopp's side is built towards cups, but can he finally win this big one?
Score Projection: Madrid 3: Liverpool 1:
I'm pessimistic here. I think Madrid are deep, I think their defensive woes are, like Liverpool's overstated, but over the 90 minutes in Kyiv I can see a similar result to the previous final except a bit reversed of Madrid coming out, winning the first half, continuing in the second, Liverpool attempt a push-back, but too little too late. I dearly hope I'm wrong and tomorrow I will have a post celebrating number six, but as of now I'm picking Madrid to walk out with the cup.
Follow me @RMABTweets for more articles and coverage, including live-Tweets of the Champions League final!
Team News:
Liverpool's 24-man squad included some happy surprises as Emre Can and Adam Lallana were both listed in the 24. Lallana was expected to be fit, however the confirmation that he is indeed ready to play is well-needed for Klopp's men. The depth he should be able to provide off the bench in midfield is vital for the Reds. Also a boost to the Liverpool side is the selection of Emre Can, who Jurgen Klopp says is an "option" off the bench for Liverpool. While we do not know entirely how fit he will be, even just having him on the bench as an option will be nice to have. Additionally, James Milner has been ruled completely fit and overcome a minor muscle injury that kept him out of the final Premier League fixture to be able to fully play a part in the match. The ability of all three to be available and at least fit enough for contention is massive for the final with depth in midfield low following the injuries to Can, Lallana, and Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Real Madrid have called up their entire first-team squad as they have no injuries to concern themselves with. Madrid have their own selection concern of too much quality in the squad that naming a starting eleven will be of great difficulty for manager Zinedine Zidane. The brilliant Madrid attack has featured combinations of just Ronaldo and Bale, Benzema and Ronaldo, as well as all three in recent matches. Additionally, Madrid's midfield also has an abundance of quality. The question of a 4-3-3, which would likely feature Casemiro in the holding position with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric featured, or a 4-4-2 with Marco Asencio and Lucas Vasquez on the wings and Casemiro and Kroos likely in the center, or perhaps a 4-3-1-2 with Isco in playing right behind a front two, will certainly be rolling around in Klopp's mind as Madrid have several options to play with as starters, then even more to bring in off the bench.
Projected Liverpool Line-Up: Karius; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Milner, Wijnaldum; Mane, Firmino, Salah
Analysis: With all starters match-fit, I do not expect any changes out of the Liverpool side. The 4-3-3 has been Liverpool's staple all season as they've very rarely shifted away from it outside of necessity (or in the earlier portion of the season, to fit the front three in with Coutinho). Why mess with a good thing?
Projected Real Madrid Line-Up: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Vazquez, Casemiro, Kroos, Asensio; Benzema, Ronaldo
Analysis: This is just a best guess, but I think Madrid show a 4-4-2 to begin the game. They have plenty of options they could shift this line-up with (Modric or Bale entering the line-up stand out as the key two in place of Vazquez or Benzema) but this seems on par with what Zidane would like to show Liverpool, as well as what he has shown already.
Previewing the Match:
It has already been a spectacular run for Liverpool. It comes to an end Saturday, win or lose. Even the more optimistic Liverpool fans certainly weren't imagining this sort of run that was, for the most part, dominant by Liverpool against Europe's finest. Liverpool's first European final under Klopp was against masters of that competition, a Europa League final against Sevilla. Sevilla owned the second half and trumped Liverpool 3-1. This final is against another team that has ruled the competition Liverpool see them in. This time, the hope will be for the script to be flipped.
Both defenses have exhibited portions of play leaving fans wanting better. Both sides' attacking prowess have torn apart other teams. Perhaps no one, however, has done it more consistently than this Liverpool side. Liverpool have put five goals or more past every single opponent over the combined 180 minutes of football they've seen them in Champions League. Much focus always surrounds the perceived shakiness of Liverpool's back-line, but the stability Virgil van Dijk has brought with his signing has made them a force at the back. Of course, they've yet to face a player the caliber of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The shown improvement or perceived failings need to be set aside as it's going to be all about how these back four can deal with Ronaldo and whomever starts alongside him. These match-ups certainly are intriguing, but perhaps none would be more dangerous for Liverpool than Gareth Bale up against Trent Alexander-Arnold. Arnold has been outstanding and is in line for the first start of a teenager in a European final for Liverpool in their history. Gareth Bale is 28, often injured, seemingly on his way out, someone I don't even have projected in the starting eleven, but yet he seems to be still a match-up nightmare. While he pocketed Leroy Sane over two legs, El Shaarawy of Roma, especially in the second leg, showed his blinding pace and was perhaps their most dangerous man despite not scoring in the bout. If Bale does get the start in the final, that is certainly something to look at as a sign of worry perhaps.
How about the Madrid defense? They've conceded two goals in three of the last four matches to the likes of Sevilla, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, only holding Celta Vigo to no goals. They are shaky and Salah attacking Marcelo could see the Egyptian's eyes light up. The myths of Madrid present them as an unbeatable side. Of course, they are stellar and have survived a brutal gauntlet to this final. However, they are not unflappable and recent results have shown their capability to be attacked if the quality is there. I think Firmino's ability to pressure and press the center-backs will be vital in Liverpool getting a result, as well as strong midfield play. If the battle of progressing up the pitch can be won by Liverpool in the middle of the park and upper third, I like their chances of walking out of Kyiv with number six. If Madrid push their way continuously through the midfield into the Liverpool defense, things could look a bit more worrisome.
Final Thoughts:
Many are considering this to already be a wash and Liverpool to have no chance. I don't think it's fair to write them off, and I think comments like that of Vincente Del Bosque are blind arrogance, however it is fair to note that Liverpool will have a tough task ahead of them. Klopp's side is built towards cups, but can he finally win this big one?
Score Projection: Madrid 3: Liverpool 1:
I'm pessimistic here. I think Madrid are deep, I think their defensive woes are, like Liverpool's overstated, but over the 90 minutes in Kyiv I can see a similar result to the previous final except a bit reversed of Madrid coming out, winning the first half, continuing in the second, Liverpool attempt a push-back, but too little too late. I dearly hope I'm wrong and tomorrow I will have a post celebrating number six, but as of now I'm picking Madrid to walk out with the cup.
Follow me @RMABTweets for more articles and coverage, including live-Tweets of the Champions League final!
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