Liverpool meet Real Madrid at Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France in the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League Final.
Liverpool enter this Final looking to secure a seventh title in this competition (including the European Cup era), whereas Real Madrid are chasing a 14th title in Europe’s biggest competition.
Team News
Thiago Alcantara is a doubt for Liverpool after he suffered a minor Achilles injury in last Sunday’s comeback Premier League win over Wolves.
Fabinho (hamstring) and Joe Gomez (ankle) could also feature if declared match-fit but Divock Origi (muscle) is ruled out.
Mohamed Salah could start after he was utilised as a substitute against Wolves, whilst Virgil Van Dijk was completely rested on the bench as an unused substitute.
Real Madrid have a full squad available for selection as David Alaba returns from an adductor injury.
Stat Attack
- Liverpool lost their only previous Champions League Final meeting against Real Madrid – losing 3-1 in May 2018.
- Real Madrid are unbeaten in their last five Champions League meetings against Liverpool (W4, D1).
- Liverpool have conceded three goals in each of three of their last five Champions League meetings against Real Madrid.
- No player in this season’s Champions League has attempted more crosses than Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson, who have attempted 131 crosses in total between them.
- No player in this season’s Champions League has played more dribbles than Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior (78).
Prediction
Having rested some key players in last weekend’s comeback Premier League win over Wolves, Liverpool should be a much stronger team than the side who initially were defensively sluggish and frustrated in attack against Wolves.
Real Madrid meanwhile are this competition’s most successful team but despite cruising to the La Liga title, their defence isn’t always the best as Man City ruthlessly exposed to effect at times in the semi-final but Real know how to turn it on with successful results even when odds are against them.
On that note, tactics will therefore be crucial because both teams have demonstrated that they are dangerous attacking teams, yet Real know how to ride their luck and conjure up results from nowhere which will ask questions of Liverpool’s defensive awareness and positioning.
I though am going for a Liverpool win if they can play their best football and maintain their high defensive line to effect but getting on the front foot early will be crucial, otherwise Real will surely sniff another European title.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Real Madrid
Result: Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid (Real Madrid are 2021-22 UEFA Champions League Champions!!)
Leave a Reply