Unlikely hero can upstage Mo & Ron

THERE is so much focus on the stars of the show that sometimes we forget it is often about the unsung heroes.

Back in 1981, it was the left-back Alan Kennedy who scored Liverpool’s winner to beat Real Madrid. Three years later it was the right-back Phil Neal (right), who scored before they saw off Roma on penalties.

Now it is all supposed to be about Cristiano Ronaldo or Liverpool’s front three of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.

But the reality is that it is often about the team, the team spirit and that, more than superstars, can carry you through.

It is one of the reasons I have a sneaky feeling for Liverpool because Jurgen Klopp has built such a strong dressing room.

Klopp (top) has done something special in improving each and every individual player. For example, when they signed Andy Robertson everyone thought he was great going forward, but weak defensively.

Now he looks strong in every department. The way Trent Alexander-Arnold has suddenly come to the fore shows the confidence Klopp gives his young players.

But perhaps even more impressive is the way that Liverpool have moved on as a team since selling Philippe Coutinho in the January window.

If you had said when Coutinho joined Barcelona that Liverpool would go on to make the Champions League final, people would have thought you needed your head testing.

There was a school of thought that Firmino would taper off without Coutinho, but he has actually got better and the front three look fantastic.

Liverpool have reached some incredible levels against Manchester City and Roma, but there is no doubting they face a daunting final task.

They are yet to face a team with such a good midfield, with stars like Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Isco, players who have got such great ability and play superb one-touch football. That is most likely where the game will be won and lost, in midfield. That brings us back to the original point – sometimes it’s not the obvious stars who become the heroes.

Jordan Henderson and James Milner (below) will have big roles to play in stopping Real Madrid and their brilliant style of play.

But it is the midfield which should be Liverpool’s biggest worry. Real have such quality in there and, despite the inconsistency in results in La Liga, they look a brilliant team in the Champions League.

If they win it again and make it three times in a row then, no matter what their failings in Spain, this Real Madrid team must go down as one of the best of all time.

But Liverpool also have a great strength of belief behind them, they have coped with everything thrown at them, their own history, and that is why I have a strong feeling they will win this final.