IT’S NO TIME TO KOP OUT
continuing hurt at the Sergio Ramos rugby tackle that injured his shoulder less than half an hour into the final in Ukraine.
“We have a score to settle,” was Salah’s reaction to Madrid’s place in the final – and Liverpool started the game determined to kill off Carlo Ancelotti’s Spanish giants before half-time.
Few teams or players need extra motivation to win a
Champions League Final – certainly not one against Madrid. But if ever there was a match where Klopp’s team talk needed no words this was it.
Love
While the Premier League trophy was never truly within their grasp against Manchester City, this was a winnable final perfectly teed up against ageing rivals who’s biggest threat was their history and huge love affair with the title.
On paper Liverpool had more of everything – energy, pace, and an explosive style that can leave opponents feeling punch-drunk.
Madrid, though, are made for this competition – and had claimed some big scalps on their way to Paris including France’s own Paris Saint-germain, Chelsea and maybe the biggest of all, Manchester City. And predictably they were too good to be a blown away by the Liverpool tornado that had dismantled so many opponents on the way to this spectacle.
Brilliant
They had the brilliant Thibout Courtois to thank for that during an opening spell that brought a flurry of Liverpool shots – and one superb save by the former Chelsea keeper to push a Mane shot onto the post.
Madrid had hardly laid eyes on Alisson in the first-half, but Karim Benzema pounced with what seemed the breakthrough goal moments before the break.
But after a long VAR check, it was ruled out by French referee Clement Turpin for offside on Madrid’s talisman striker.
Madrid struck again though on 59 minutes and this time there could be no reprieve for the Reds.
Trent Alexander-arnold’s defensive skills are lesser than his attacking prowess and he was always a risk up against the danger posed by Vinicius Junior. And so it proved.
The young defender switched off as Federico Valverde threaded a ball to the far post allowing the Brazilian star to steal in unmarked and fire home.
It was a hammer blow for Liverpool but they kept going and only a super save by Courtois denied sub Jota.