Liverpool will be out to soften the blow of losing the Premier League title race with a Champions League final victory against Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid this Saturday. Here is a look at the three major talking points ahead of this match. Bet on the match here
Tottenham’s first time v Liverpool’s experience
Liverpool have been sensational this season, and the thought that Jurgen Klopp’s men could finish the campaign without a trophy to their name is just incredible. They became the best runners-up in Premier League history as the unstoppable Manchester City marched to their second consecutive league title. This is a team that have made the finals in the Europa League and the Champions League in the last three years but have failed to win on both occasions. The Reds are very strong favourites as they have beaten Spurs 2-1 both home and away in the league this season. With their experience of having lost two major finals in recent times, they have enough incentive to go out and win against their less fancied opponents.
Tottenham, on the other hand, have made history by reaching the Champions League final for the very first time. This is also Mauricio Pochettino’s first final in the Champions League as manager and they come to this match as the underdogs. Spurs’ absurd aggregate win over Manchester City and their subsequent elimination of Ajax in dramatic version underscored the fight in this side and even if they don’t win this will have been a Champions League campaign to remember.
Spurs slow end to the season v Liverpool’s superb form
Tottenham had a tough time towards the end of the season as they struggled to maintain the momentum they started the season with. They lost five of their last eight games in all competitions and won just twice. They lost a remarkable 13 times in the league this season and that could factor in at the back of their minds as they head into this clash.
Liverpool on the other hand are the form team heading into this fixture, as their triumph over Wolves last time out made it 13 wins from their last 14 competitive matches. The attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firminho and Sadio Mane will be fit and this should worry their opponents here.
Heung Min Son v Mohamed Salah
Heung Min Son has been very instrumental for Tottenham in the absence of the injured Harry Kane. The striker has been sensational this season, chipping in with very important goals both in the league and in the Champions League. He has scored a total of 23 goals so far this season and with Kane not fully fit he could be preferred in attack. We can expect a good showing from the South Korean who never misses an opportunity to impress.
Mohamed Salah meanwhile is arguably Liverpool’s best player for the last two seasons and all eyes will be on him to produce the goals. The Egyptian finished the season as the joint top scorer in the Premier League and he will be eager to better his tally of 29 goals in all competitions. He tends to perform better against sides that play with a high defensive line and he will be out to take advantage of the pockets of space left by Spurs when they attack. He did not finish the final last season after being taken out with injury and he will want to play a key role this time around.