I played in four European finals for Liverpool, won three, but you wouldn’t call any memorable
I don’t know about you, but I’m extremely excited about Saturday night’s Champions League Final between Liverpool and Real Madrid in Kiev.
Truly, the contest is a mouthwatering prospect.
From the Anfield club’s point of view, everyone – from the manager to the players and the supporters – can feel proud of the contribution they have already made in the past nine months.
In particular, the wins over Manchester City and Roma were superb and the club deserves a place in the Final.
Now they want to go that little bit further because just being in the Final isn’t good enough. You need to win it.
I was fortunate enough to play in four European Cup Finals for Liverpool.
I have to say that all of the games were far from memorable! Indeed, we had a dinner on May 10 to mark the 40th anniversary of winning the European Cup against Club Brugge at Wembley. We won 1-0 and I scored the winning goal.
They showed highlights of the game – but there wasn’t much footage on the reel!
Indeed, I think the celebrations at the goal lasted longer than the whole package that was replayed!
In 1981, we defeated Real Madrid 1-0 in Paris. All I can really remember about that game is Alan Kennedy’s goal.
Again, it was far from a classic 90 minutes.
Then in 1984 we beat Roma on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
We should have been awarded victory by UEFA at the end of the 90 minutes on the away goals rule since we were playing in Roma’s stadium!
Personally speaking, that win was the most satisfying – even though I was substituted in extra time – as it was against an Italian side in their own backyard.
When we lost to Juventus 1-0 in 1985 at the Heysel Stadium in my last-ever European Cup Final appearance, it sadly wasn’t about football that night.
We all know the reasons for that. However, for all the Finals weren’t up there in the top drawer, it was all about winning.
We came back with winners’ medals on three occasions, and I’m extremely proud of that.
I expect Saturday night’s game to be more entertaining and adventurous than the 1981 Final between the sides.
Real Madrid are trying to win the marvellous trophy for the 13th time and Liverpool are trying lift it for the sixth time. Quite incredible stats. As much as both sides are encouraged to play attacking football – with a high press, full of energy – by their managers, I don’t see either side adopting a gung-ho attitude from the first whistle.
I think they both may be a wee bit more cautious and aim to be tight defensively.
That said, they will want to get the ball to their attack-minded players as quickly as possible.
Ronaldo, of course, will be Real Madrid’s main threat.
He is an exceptional footballer and can win any game of football, on any occasion, with a flash of genius. His record in the Champions League is incredible and Liverpool must try their very best to nullify his obvious threat. Easier said than done.
But Zinedine Zidane and his staff will be concerned about the way Liverpool can split teams wide open from middle to front.
Mo Salah has been as good as any player in Europe this season, and I wouldn’t rule out him having one more outstanding performance left in him. When chances are presented – and both sides will create chances – it’s vital to take them.
Look at the Europa League Final the other night. Marseille had a chance to open the scoring and missed it.
Antoine Griezmann is then given a chance for Atletico Madrid and he tucked it away. The Spanish club never looked back and went on to win 3-0.
So, Jurgen Klopp and Zidane will hammer home the message in the build-up.
For both coaches, I hope they come out of the game feeling that their players gave their all, and that the game was decided on a piece of brilliance rather than someone being a villain for a mistake or a costly red card. Klopp and Zidane deserve enormous credit for the way they have conducted themselves in this campaign, and for the way their teams have played entertaining football.
As a player and coach, Zidane knows what it’s like to win this great trophy – remember that goal at Hampden in the 2002 Final – and he will be determined to do it again.
For Jurgen, he didn’t have a glamorous playing career. But his coaching career, at Mainz then Borussia Dortmund, has been good .
He has also been successful at Liverpool, and every Liverpool supporter hopes to cement the progress that has been made by winning the Champions League. So, my prediction?
Well, I’m not one for scorelines, but I do think that both sides will score on the night and I’m certain they will serve up a memorable 90 minutes.
I also can’t see Liverpool returning without the Cup in their possession.