The Reds taking on Tottenham in an all-English Champions League final is a fitting end to a thrilling season. Liverpool could not have pushed Manchester City harder for the title, but how do they go one better in Madrid and make sure they end a sparking season with silverware?
Liverpool go into this final in a different position, as they are being backed as favourites to win it by those who deal in UCL tips, whereas they were the underdogs in the title race. The fact that they are in that position is testament to what a great squad Jurgen Klopp is building here, but it also means a different sort of pressure and ensures a smart tactical approach is needed.
Ahead of the match, there is the possibility that both teams could be missing at least one key player. For the Reds, it does not look likely that Naby Keita will be in midfield, but there is a huge boost with the news that Roberto Firmino is training again and should be fit. The three-man frontline of Firmino, Mane and Salah is probably the deadliest in Europe, but even if he didn’t make it, Salah and Mane have 22 league goals each so the Reds can cope without him. Harry Kane may not be fit to start the match for Tottenham, which will leave them very reliant on South Korean striker Heung-Min Son for goals.
A key weakness in Tottenham’s approach and squad that Liverpool could exploit on the night is on the left flank, where fullback Danny Rose favours pushing forward and helping to build their attacks. This could leave space on that side of the pitch for Mo Salah to get into and take advantage of, as the Reds are masters of the fast counterattack.
It is not just about the potential weaknesses of Tottenham though, as Liverpool have so many squad strengths. Defensively the team is much more solid now, thanks to the additions of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker, so there will be no repeat of the errors that cost them in last year’s final. Beyond that, the squad players have really stepped up this season – witness the vital contributions of Divock Origi against Barcelona and the league matches against Everton and Newcastle. It is because of this strength in depth and balance of quality in all areas that the Reds head into this match with such confidence.
That is what makes this season so much different from last year, when it was a huge achievement to reach the Champions League final despite the obvious issues with the defence, and the 2013/14 title challenge. Despite the attempts by some pundits to compare what Jurgen Klopp is building now with that campaign, there is no comparison. The current team is a match for any side in Europe, with the only connection being the raw passion of our amazing fans. The idea that having the best fan base in the world could be a weakness is one of the stranger media arguments out there.
The Reds have beaten Tottenham twice already this season, so this is the perfect opportunity to be crowned champions of Europe for a sixth time and build momentum for the league next year.
