Even the kids recognise Karius and Lovren deficiencies
I sat down with the kids on Saturday night to watch the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool.
My boys loyalties were split evenly between Cristiano Ronaldo and Mo Salah. There was great excitement in the buildup and we were really expecting a high scoring thriller. Both sides have an abundance of attacking flair and even seven and eight year olds recognised the deficiencies of Liverpool at the back. They questioned the wisdom of Jurgen Klopp constantly going with Karius and Lovren and I struggled to explain his reasoning.
Poor old Karius. If the German lay awake on the Firday and dreamt the worst nightmare possible, I doubt he could have imagined it going so badly wrong.
I don’t think Sergio Ramos intentionally set out to target Mo Salah but when the opportunity presented itself in the form of that tackle, the Spaniard seized it with both hands, well with one hand anyway.
He gained maximum impact from the collision and held onto Salah’s arm tightly as the pair hit the ground. He used his momentum and body weight to his clubs full advantage. It was the games turning point.
The final was a disappointment overall but Gareth Bale’s overhead kick ensured my boys, and I’m sure many others around the world, were out in the garden early the following morning practising their bicycle kicks.