KOP’S EURO STARS
BENITEZ PREDICTS ALEXANDER-ARNOLD AND ROBERTSON HAVE BIG ROLE TO PLAY IN FINAL
EXCLUSIVE
NEIL MOXLEY
By
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD holds one of the keys to success for Jurgen Klopp next week, says Rafa Benitez.
The veteran boss believes the classy right-back will have a major say over whether the
Reds will lift their seventh European crown.
Benitez, who orchestrated the Miracle of
Istanbul back in 2005, says the defender’s influence could be crucial – at both ends of the pitch.
And he says that if Alexander-Arnold can keep speedster Vinicius
Junior quiet, Liverpool have a great chance.
He said: “I think Carlo
Ancelotti will be looking to exploit the space behind Liverpool’s full-backs.
“Real Madrid will be looking to run in behind, particularly as Klopp’s full-backs are usually high up the pitch.
“Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are two big threats in terms of crosses and assists. And they will go forward.
“Now, Vinicius does not have the stamina to go backward and forwards for 90 minutes.
“If Liverpool lose the ball high up the pitch and Alexander-Arnold is up there, who is going to look after Vinicius?
“Tactically, it’s a real issue. It’s the same on the other side – we don’t know if Ancelotti is going to start Rodrygo – but he will play Vinicius Jnr. He’s always a threat, a big problem.
“And there is another one as well – Karim Benzema has become very good, very clever at moving away from his markers and linking play.
“In the same way that Tottenham use
Harry Kane – he drops off and uses
Son – Real Madrid could do the same with Benzema and
Vinicius Jnr.”
Benitez (right) managed France international
Benzema when was in charge at the Bernabeu seven years ago. In all competitions, the 34-year-old has scored 49 goals in 51 appearances this season. He has played cameos in several rounds so far. He collected a hattrick against Paris Saint-Germain, then ran Chelsea ragged – particularly at Stamford Bridge.
And he followed that up by netting in both semi-final legs against Manchester City. Benitez said: “When I was at Real Madrid, I was really pleased with him.
“He was very good technically and with his movements. He was criticised for not scoring too many, but he did score plenty with us.
“Now, he is one of the best in the world. He could always miss chances, but he’s now more precise.
“What he has now is experience, he’s getting more mature.
“He’s been going in the right places at the right times and he has the technical ability to find the net.
“The other big change is that he has grown in terms of his personality.
“Real Madrid always had big names – and now he’s the big name. He’s improving in everything because he’s taken more responsibility. He’s saying, ‘Leave it to me - I will make the difference’. He doesn’t have to rely on anyone else.”
Benitez is sure to upset either camp by tipping the other to succeed next week – as a legend at both clubs, he cannot win.
But he believes Liverpool have the edge because Los Blancos will be upset by their intensity.
He said: “In Spain, Real Madrid control possession. Liverpool – because they are so strong – present a different challenge.
“They are likely to have as much possession, if not more.
“And Liverpool are different to PSG, Atletico Madrid, Manchester
City or Levante or whoever. Real Madrid had big problems with Chelsea this season. Why was that?
“It’s because of the intensity. Liverpool play with intensity. If they have a lot of possession, Real Madrid will have to defend.
“Then it comes down to how clever the likes of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and the rest are.
“They are top players. Liverpool, the club, have done a great job. Jurgen Klopp has a very strong team.
“They can compete against Manchester City, who have spent massive money, or Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
“On their day, they can compete against anyone and win.”