Hope and heartbreak were the emotions on rotation for Liverpool fans. In the end, it ended in heartbreak as Liverpool lost their final match of the season 3-1 to Real Madrid to finish their Champions League as runners-up.
What Happened:
Liverpool almost immediately started on the front foot with an opportunity in the Madrid box within 30 seconds of the match. It took ten minutes for Madrid to get their first shot (an effort wide from Marcelo) but in the meantime Liverpool dominated possession of the ball while staying in dangerous areas and creating chances. Ronaldo also had a shot go just over the bar, but this was followed by the next chance for Liverpool and perhaps the best of the first half, a hard shot from Trent Alexander-Arnold which ended up saved by Keylor Navas. This was the continuation of a very nice spell, however just a couple minutes later was a massive blow for Liverpool.
Sergio Ramos and Mo Salah got tangled in going for the ball. Ramos continued to ultimately drag Salah down resulting in Salah landing very painfully on his shoulder. Debate over intent can be, and has been, commenced by fans, but regardless the reality is that Liverpool were far less dangerous without their player of the year. The Reds created more attacking opportunities in the 30 minutes with Salah than the 60 without. Adam Lallana came onto the pitch and did well enough, but the difference in team shape was clear. Liverpool were not wholly toothless without the Egyptian, but they lacked the sort of cutting edge he gave them throughout the season and game up to point of injury.
In the meantime, Liverpool clung desperately to the 0-0 scoreline with halftime approaching and as Madrid suffered an injury of their own to Dani Carvajal (who was replaced by Nacho). There was the save by Karius on a point-blank Cristiano Ronaldo header and Karim Benzema's follow-up was ruled offside. Nacho, minutes later, saw a shot go just wide, hitting the side netting. Then there was another effort from Benzema that also went just wide. Halftime was very welcome for Liverpool as the energy saw a major dip after what was a tough to watch injury from the man who led Liverpool all throughout the season.
Madrid kicked off the second half well as just five minutes in, Isco hit post. Alexander-Arnold gave the ball away to the middle of the pitch, Lallana's efforts to clean up sent the ball rolling towards no man's land as Karius and Isco had a race for it, ultimately Isco got there first but could only hit the post. Liverpool had avoided conceding first, but in the 51st minute a calamity occurred. Benzema was played through on a long ball, which Karius collected in the box before the likely offside Benzema could get a touch. Instead of waiting, however, Karius threw across his body and in the reach of Benzema's foot. Benzema got a touch to the ball and it sputtered into the net to give Madrid the 1-0 lead.
It was a shocking moment for the Liverpool keeper, but Liverpool did not keep their heads down in sorrow and responded just four minutes later off a corner. Dejan Lovren skied above the Madrid defense, above Ramos, and nodded down to Sadio Mane who booted home from close range. The match was back level, 1-1, before fans could even forget about Karius' mishap. Unfortunately, about ten minutes later, the party was halted once again. Gareth Bale, introduced as a substitute not even a minute earlier, met Marcelo's cross with an unbelievable, unsaveable bicycle kick. Madrid were back on top of the match thanks to their super sub.
Liverpool would not go away. Mane had a lovely left-footed effort hit the outside of the post. When Ronaldo was free, Andy Robertson tracked all the way back and came up with a crucial block to stop him from what was surely going to be a third goal. Another save from Karius came off a hard Benzema effort. Emre Can entered the fray to try for another equalizer, but not even a minute after he checked in was another Madrid goal, and another Karius shocker. Bale lined up a shot and struck it well, but the Liverpool keeper seemed conflicted on whether or not to catch or punch the ball and, in his indecisiveness, got hands on it but still it went into his net. Madrid had found a late third. Liverpool's final chapter seemed written. There was more brilliant effort shown from Lovren to stop Bale from getting his third, and Virgil van Dijk's crucial block to stop Ronaldo from having a tap-in, but in the end Liverpool could not find anything on the attack in the late stages and the 3-1 scoreline was final.
How Did This Happen:
Two men will receive the majority of the coverage on the Liverpool side: Loris Karius and Mo Salah. Let's start with Karius. The Liverpool keeper had what could adequately be described as a 'bi-polar' game. He came up with multiple saves of shots on target that were needed from him to keep the game where it was, perhaps none better than the one on Ronaldo's point-blank header. Of course, these will be forgotten and all the emphasis will be placed on the two errors he made leading to goals. The German had not committed one in the previous 32 games. In the game where it most counted, he had two truly awful ones.
I do truly feel for Karius. He has been important to the squad's run in the Champions League and deserved the starting spot in net over Simon Mignolet. However, with a game like this in the most important one of the season, the goalkeeper spot at Liverpool is now wide-open for speculation over the summer. Suddenly, depending on who you ask, a new number one goalie is now the main necessity for the team. Jurgen Klopp sticks with players and almost unfailingly believes in them. This, however, is the nature of the beast. Alisson will the be the center of many transfer rumors yet again, so too, perhaps, will Jack Butland or Nick Pope depending on how England does in the World Cup. Speculation will be rampant over the summer. We must now wait to see if anything comes of it.
Second: Mo Salah. Salah went down at the hands of Sergio Ramos and went off the field in tears. Klopp has stated that it is looking like a serious collarbone or shoulder injury and he feels bad for not just Mo, but Egypt, implying that his World Cup outlook is bleak. This is truly awful for someone who is a cultural icon in his home country. As a result, you have a country's World Cup preparation now in disarray and what was essentially 60 minutes of football also in disarray for his club team. It is hard to imagine the game not turning out at least a little bit differently with Salah still on the pitch. This only serves as speculation. What has happened has indeed happened and there is no way to turn back time and somehow stop Ramos and Salah locking arms. We must all deal with the consequences.
One of the biggest positives for Liverpool was the entire back four. Three goals is incredibly harsh on them, Lovren and van Dijk played perhaps some of their best games in red. Ronaldo was quieted the entire game as was Benzema with the exception of a goal that was not of the defense's doing. Van Dijk was immense in the air, the big Dutchman seemed to be incapable of losing an aerial battle. Robertson and Alexander-Arnold were both brilliant as well, Robertson notably giving it his all when backtracking to make the vital tackle on Ronaldo's shot to try and make it 3-1 in the 74th minute. The effort they all showed was stupendous and you must really tip your hat to Lovren who was surely the man of the match with his defensive efforts and headed assist to Mane for the Reds' lone goal.
Speaking of Mane, the Senegalese man took charge with Salah out injured and pulled the strings for the attack with the two best chances, the goal and the effort off the post, for Liverpool. Credit has to be spread throughout the team. James Milner ran himself ragged giving it everything he had. Credit of course will go to Madrid. Marcelo's ability to get forward was not understated at all as he assisted both of Bale goals. Bale impacted the game with his brilliant goal and second hard shot to force a mistake. The Madrid defense defended as a pack, getting bodies in front of shots in the box when they had to. But Liverpool cannot hold their heads down. They gave a massive fight and were up for the occasion. Their run must be applauded.
What Happens Next:
As summer is here, eyes naturally turn towards two things: the transfer window and the World Cup. In the transfer window, Nabil Fekir of Lyon is seemingly the number one target. With he and Naby Keita coming in, the attacking prowess of the midfield is immediately raised. Then, you have the question of Emre Can staying or leaving, and now keeper and who will stay, go, or be brought in. Additionally, with the World Cup, you will expect to see hope raised with the Liverpool players who will be in Russia for the tournament. Will Alexander-Arnold make an impact? How will Jordan Henderson fair? Can Mane help lead Senegal to the knockout rounds? Now, will Salah be able to play? All these questions add intriguing subplots to the offseason.
Final Thoughts:
Losing to Madrid, one of the finest dynasties in the sport, is nothing that should be scoffed at. The manner of loss hurts. But Jurgen Klopp is in the process of building something special. The hope is that this is just one final heartbreak before trophies indeed begin to roll in. It cannot be emphasized enough that this run was not expected. This is a team with a bright future. There will be hope. There must be belief.
Follow me on Twitter @RMABTweets.
What Happened:
Liverpool almost immediately started on the front foot with an opportunity in the Madrid box within 30 seconds of the match. It took ten minutes for Madrid to get their first shot (an effort wide from Marcelo) but in the meantime Liverpool dominated possession of the ball while staying in dangerous areas and creating chances. Ronaldo also had a shot go just over the bar, but this was followed by the next chance for Liverpool and perhaps the best of the first half, a hard shot from Trent Alexander-Arnold which ended up saved by Keylor Navas. This was the continuation of a very nice spell, however just a couple minutes later was a massive blow for Liverpool.
Sergio Ramos and Mo Salah got tangled in going for the ball. Ramos continued to ultimately drag Salah down resulting in Salah landing very painfully on his shoulder. Debate over intent can be, and has been, commenced by fans, but regardless the reality is that Liverpool were far less dangerous without their player of the year. The Reds created more attacking opportunities in the 30 minutes with Salah than the 60 without. Adam Lallana came onto the pitch and did well enough, but the difference in team shape was clear. Liverpool were not wholly toothless without the Egyptian, but they lacked the sort of cutting edge he gave them throughout the season and game up to point of injury.
In the meantime, Liverpool clung desperately to the 0-0 scoreline with halftime approaching and as Madrid suffered an injury of their own to Dani Carvajal (who was replaced by Nacho). There was the save by Karius on a point-blank Cristiano Ronaldo header and Karim Benzema's follow-up was ruled offside. Nacho, minutes later, saw a shot go just wide, hitting the side netting. Then there was another effort from Benzema that also went just wide. Halftime was very welcome for Liverpool as the energy saw a major dip after what was a tough to watch injury from the man who led Liverpool all throughout the season.
Madrid kicked off the second half well as just five minutes in, Isco hit post. Alexander-Arnold gave the ball away to the middle of the pitch, Lallana's efforts to clean up sent the ball rolling towards no man's land as Karius and Isco had a race for it, ultimately Isco got there first but could only hit the post. Liverpool had avoided conceding first, but in the 51st minute a calamity occurred. Benzema was played through on a long ball, which Karius collected in the box before the likely offside Benzema could get a touch. Instead of waiting, however, Karius threw across his body and in the reach of Benzema's foot. Benzema got a touch to the ball and it sputtered into the net to give Madrid the 1-0 lead.
It was a shocking moment for the Liverpool keeper, but Liverpool did not keep their heads down in sorrow and responded just four minutes later off a corner. Dejan Lovren skied above the Madrid defense, above Ramos, and nodded down to Sadio Mane who booted home from close range. The match was back level, 1-1, before fans could even forget about Karius' mishap. Unfortunately, about ten minutes later, the party was halted once again. Gareth Bale, introduced as a substitute not even a minute earlier, met Marcelo's cross with an unbelievable, unsaveable bicycle kick. Madrid were back on top of the match thanks to their super sub.
Liverpool would not go away. Mane had a lovely left-footed effort hit the outside of the post. When Ronaldo was free, Andy Robertson tracked all the way back and came up with a crucial block to stop him from what was surely going to be a third goal. Another save from Karius came off a hard Benzema effort. Emre Can entered the fray to try for another equalizer, but not even a minute after he checked in was another Madrid goal, and another Karius shocker. Bale lined up a shot and struck it well, but the Liverpool keeper seemed conflicted on whether or not to catch or punch the ball and, in his indecisiveness, got hands on it but still it went into his net. Madrid had found a late third. Liverpool's final chapter seemed written. There was more brilliant effort shown from Lovren to stop Bale from getting his third, and Virgil van Dijk's crucial block to stop Ronaldo from having a tap-in, but in the end Liverpool could not find anything on the attack in the late stages and the 3-1 scoreline was final.
How Did This Happen:
Two men will receive the majority of the coverage on the Liverpool side: Loris Karius and Mo Salah. Let's start with Karius. The Liverpool keeper had what could adequately be described as a 'bi-polar' game. He came up with multiple saves of shots on target that were needed from him to keep the game where it was, perhaps none better than the one on Ronaldo's point-blank header. Of course, these will be forgotten and all the emphasis will be placed on the two errors he made leading to goals. The German had not committed one in the previous 32 games. In the game where it most counted, he had two truly awful ones.
I do truly feel for Karius. He has been important to the squad's run in the Champions League and deserved the starting spot in net over Simon Mignolet. However, with a game like this in the most important one of the season, the goalkeeper spot at Liverpool is now wide-open for speculation over the summer. Suddenly, depending on who you ask, a new number one goalie is now the main necessity for the team. Jurgen Klopp sticks with players and almost unfailingly believes in them. This, however, is the nature of the beast. Alisson will the be the center of many transfer rumors yet again, so too, perhaps, will Jack Butland or Nick Pope depending on how England does in the World Cup. Speculation will be rampant over the summer. We must now wait to see if anything comes of it.
Second: Mo Salah. Salah went down at the hands of Sergio Ramos and went off the field in tears. Klopp has stated that it is looking like a serious collarbone or shoulder injury and he feels bad for not just Mo, but Egypt, implying that his World Cup outlook is bleak. This is truly awful for someone who is a cultural icon in his home country. As a result, you have a country's World Cup preparation now in disarray and what was essentially 60 minutes of football also in disarray for his club team. It is hard to imagine the game not turning out at least a little bit differently with Salah still on the pitch. This only serves as speculation. What has happened has indeed happened and there is no way to turn back time and somehow stop Ramos and Salah locking arms. We must all deal with the consequences.
One of the biggest positives for Liverpool was the entire back four. Three goals is incredibly harsh on them, Lovren and van Dijk played perhaps some of their best games in red. Ronaldo was quieted the entire game as was Benzema with the exception of a goal that was not of the defense's doing. Van Dijk was immense in the air, the big Dutchman seemed to be incapable of losing an aerial battle. Robertson and Alexander-Arnold were both brilliant as well, Robertson notably giving it his all when backtracking to make the vital tackle on Ronaldo's shot to try and make it 3-1 in the 74th minute. The effort they all showed was stupendous and you must really tip your hat to Lovren who was surely the man of the match with his defensive efforts and headed assist to Mane for the Reds' lone goal.
Speaking of Mane, the Senegalese man took charge with Salah out injured and pulled the strings for the attack with the two best chances, the goal and the effort off the post, for Liverpool. Credit has to be spread throughout the team. James Milner ran himself ragged giving it everything he had. Credit of course will go to Madrid. Marcelo's ability to get forward was not understated at all as he assisted both of Bale goals. Bale impacted the game with his brilliant goal and second hard shot to force a mistake. The Madrid defense defended as a pack, getting bodies in front of shots in the box when they had to. But Liverpool cannot hold their heads down. They gave a massive fight and were up for the occasion. Their run must be applauded.
What Happens Next:
As summer is here, eyes naturally turn towards two things: the transfer window and the World Cup. In the transfer window, Nabil Fekir of Lyon is seemingly the number one target. With he and Naby Keita coming in, the attacking prowess of the midfield is immediately raised. Then, you have the question of Emre Can staying or leaving, and now keeper and who will stay, go, or be brought in. Additionally, with the World Cup, you will expect to see hope raised with the Liverpool players who will be in Russia for the tournament. Will Alexander-Arnold make an impact? How will Jordan Henderson fair? Can Mane help lead Senegal to the knockout rounds? Now, will Salah be able to play? All these questions add intriguing subplots to the offseason.
Final Thoughts:
Losing to Madrid, one of the finest dynasties in the sport, is nothing that should be scoffed at. The manner of loss hurts. But Jurgen Klopp is in the process of building something special. The hope is that this is just one final heartbreak before trophies indeed begin to roll in. It cannot be emphasized enough that this run was not expected. This is a team with a bright future. There will be hope. There must be belief.
Follow me on Twitter @RMABTweets.
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