Deal with pressure, says Alonso
Liverpool can cause Real upset
Madrid – Xabi Alonso believes that Liverpool can beat Real Madrid and be European champions but only if they cope with the pressure of playing in a Champions League final.
Alonso won Europe’s premier tournament with Liverpool in 2005 and Real in 2014, having spent five years playing for both of this season’s Champions League finalists.
Real are no strangers to this stage of the competition. They have reached three of the last four Champions League finals and won them all, with Saturday’s showdown offering them the chance for a third consecutive triumph.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are without a single player to have experienced a match of this magnitude. Only their coach Jurgen Klopp has gone the distance in Europe, with Borussia Dortmund, who were beaten by Bayern Munich in 2013.
“They have to prepare for the game very well because Real Madrid have all the experience,” Alonso said.
“For all the Liverpool players it will be their first Champions League final. They have to deal with this emotional side which is almost as important as the football side.
“If they can get the right balance between the excitement and the motivation, that will be the right way to approach this final.”
Three of the four top scorers in this season’s Champions League belong to Liverpool, with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino both on 10 and Sadio Mane on nine. Real’s Cristiano Ronaldo is out in front on 15.
“Whenever they have space, Real need to control them,” Alonso said. “They are able to attack through the middle of the pitch.”
While Liverpool are gunning for their sixth European success, Real are chasing their 13th. – AFP