It’s the Final countdown

THE Salahvating prospect of Liverpool facing Real Madrid is just 13 days away, but first they must address the small matter of ensuring Champions League football by the road more travelled.

Theoretically, the admirable Chris Hughton could even gatecrash the top 10 of the Premier League, if his Brighton side can repeat their recent feat of toppling the favourites in red.

But Herr Klopp will not countenance defeat prior to his next date with destiny – especially if it means shoving Chelsea into the Europa League places. The second legs of the play-off semi-finals are always the better ones, so expect more explosive tension, starting tomorrow when Fulham welcome Derby to the Cottage.

Following today’s sad farewell at the Kirklees Stadium, Arsene Wenger will be able to emerge from behind the sofa and sit on it to watch his bete noire, Diego Simeone, and his Atletico Madrid side take on – and probably beat – Marseille. Then

his other former bete noire – until they started getting all smoochie when he was no longer regarded as a threat – takes on his old boys in a final that has the potential to take tedium to new depths.

Mourinho has parked his doubledecker often enough at Wembley to have his name painted on the turf.

Or will he surprise us all?