Sunday People

SICK IN KIEV

Crocked Mo off in tears Karius in double blunder Bale supergoal twists knife

- By Simon Mullock

LIVERPOOL were left heartbroke­n by a moment of genius from Gareth Bale.

Real Madrid’s Welsh wonder scored perhaps the greatest goal in Champions League history to turn the final Zinedine Zidane’s way, just three minutes after being sent on as a 61stminute substitute.

And he ended Liverpool’s resistance completely with a long-range strike seven minutes from time. Reds keeper

saw Madrid Euro Kings for the third year running – a Champions League record – as Zinedine Zidane became the first manager to win the trophy three times.

Bale came off the bench after 61 minutes and scored a breathtaki­ng overhead kick to put Madrid in front after Sadio Mane replied to Karim Benzema’s bizarre opener when he diverted in a throw out from Karius.

The Welshman then ended hopes of a revival with a longrange shot fumbled by Karius.

And Karius, 24, admitted: “I lost my team the game and I feel sorry for everyone. If I could go back in time, I would. These goals cost us the title.”

Klopp said: “Loris Karius knows it, everybody knows it. That is a shame in a game like this, in a season like this. I feel for him, he is a fantastic boy.

“The second mistake is because of the first one. We will deal with it and of course we will be with him.

“Gareth Bale’s bicycle kick was unbelievab­le.

“Everything was great until tonight. You go to the Final to win it, it was proper chance for us and we did not take it.”

Klopp confirmed Salah might miss the World Cup in Russia next month, after he was injured in a 25th-minute tussle with Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos.

He said: “It is very serious, it is his collarbone or shoulder. It does not look good.”

While Karius was the villain, Bale – now a four time Champions League winner – was the hero. The Welshman said: “It’s a dream come true. I never scored a bicycle kick before but it was great to see it go in.”

Bale put Manchester United on alert by claiming his time in Spain could be up.

He added: “I feel I should be playing every week. I will sit down in the summer, relax and reflect on things.”

And Cristiano Ronaldo also put a question mark over his future when he said: “In the coming days there’ll be answer about my future. It has been very nice playing for Real Madrid.”

 ??  ?? BALEFORCE: Bale celebrates his second goal with Marcelo while the night ended in tears for Salah and Karius
BALEFORCE: Bale celebrates his second goal with Marcelo while the night ended in tears for Salah and Karius
 ??  ?? HOPE: Sane levels for Reds
HOPE: Sane levels for Reds

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