15′ Tottenham have settled into a rhythm more than the Reds, but the early goal has handed Klopp and his team the ability to sit back and absorb the pressure.
13′ Eriksen moves the ball quickly towards Son from the free-kick, but the winger is stopped in his tracks in the box from a challenge by Alexander-Arnold.
12′ Matip brings down Kane with a late lunge, but manages to avoid a booking for the challenge. The first test for Kane after his injury and his appears to be fine.
10′ A long ball over the top from Van Dijk almost falls for Mane in the box, but Trippier is there to divert it behind for a corner. The Spurs full-back is not happy with Lloris, who did not come out to ease the pressure on his team-mate.
10′ OVER! Son tries to weave his way through the Liverpool defence, but he gets crowded out before he can shoot. The loose ball falls to Sissoko 25 yards from goal and he lines up a drive, only to smash his attempt over the bar.
8′ Alexander-Arnold puts Alisson under pressure at the back with a quick offload, but the keeper does enough to clear his lines.
7′ Salah has scored six goals versus Spurs, his joint best opponent in his European club career (also Bournemouth and Watford).
6′ Trippier lifts the ball into the box for Vertonghen to attack at the back post, but Matip is there to make the clearing header.
5′ Alli wins the ball from Alexander-Arnold in the final third before offloading towards Son on the charge. Henderson gets back to make the challenge, conceding a corner in the process.
4′ Tottenham have a major test of their character now after falling behind in the second minute. It was clumsy from Sissoko to have his arm outstretched, although a tad unforunate at the same time.
2′ GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!! SALAH PUTS LIVERPOOL AHEAD!!! 1-0!!! Salah steps up from 12 yards and he hammers the ball down the middle of the net. Lloris dives early to his left and the ball is already past the Frenchman before he can react. Liverpool make the perfect start to the Champions League final.
1′ PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL! The referee points to the spot as Mane strikes the ball off Sissoko and it hits his hand on the way down.
1′ We’re underway in the Champions League final.
There will be a minute of applause before kick-off in memory of Jose Antonio Reyes, who was killed in a car accident in Spain earlier today.
The players are making their way out on to the pitch, so the Champions League final should be underway shortly.
This will be Tottenham’s first major final in any European competition since the 1984 UEFA Cup. They are looking to become just the third English side to win all three of the major UEFA tournaments after Chelsea and Manchester United (European Cup/Champions League, UEFA Cup/Europa League and Cup Winner’s Cup).
Liverpool’s pace and ability to keep the pressure on their opponents has been the driving force of their success under Klopp. No team relishes a match against the Reds and it will be through the pace and skill of Mane and Salah where they will look to exploit Spurs this evening. Firmino has scored two goals in two games in his games against Tottenham this season therefore they cannot afford to take their eyes off him either. It will take a special effort to hold Liverpool in check.
There have been suggestions that Tottenham have played better football without the presence of Kane in their line-up. Pochettino has dismissed this notion by bringing his striker back into the fold immediately. It was a harsh decision on Lucas, but given the quality of the three players behind Kane there was no place for him in the side. The battle between Kane and Van Dijk could well decide the match – with two of the best players in the world facing off against each other.
Liverpool would seemingly have the psychological edge over Tottenham given their performances against them this season along with their experience reaching the final last season. However, strange things can happen at major events and even the best players can lose their composure. It will be a test of the quality and character of both teams to decide the European crown.
Liverpool have found the back of the net in 14 of their last 15 encounters with Spurs in all competitions, failing to score in a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane in October 2015; Jurgen Klopp’s first game as Liverpool manager.
At Anfield, the two sides played out an entertaining contest. Firmino put Liverpool ahead in the first half, but Lucas brought Spurs back into the game. It was all to play for in the remaining 20 minutes, but the result was decided when Salah’s strike was deflected off Alderweireld by Lloris, allowing the ball to roll over the line.
The Reds triumphed in the first match between the sides this term at Wembley as goals from Wijnaldum and Firmino handed them the victory in September. Lamela scored a consolation goal for Tottenham, but it was an afternoon to forget for Pochettino’s men, failing to rise to the occasion.
Liverpool won both of their league meetings with Spurs this season. In total, they’ve met at least three times in all competitions in 13 previous campaigns – Liverpool have only beaten Spurs three times in a single season in one of those (1985-86 – four times).
Klopp did not have many major decisions to make in regards to leaving players out of the starting line-up. Perhaps the only man to feel slightly aggrieved would be Milner as Wijnaldum has earned the start ahead of the veteran. The impact the Dutchman had against Barcelona, scoring twice, may have given him the edge. Milner’s experience off the bench could be an important option for Klopp to have in the contest.
Liverpool are operating at full strength after Roberto Firmino returned to fitness to lead the line alongside Salah and Mane. The Brazilian missed his side’s incredible comeback win over Barcelona with a thigh injury. He was given additional time to rest, missing the final game of the Premier League season against Wolves. The forward takes place to spearhead the attack, starting for the first time since April 21 against Cardiff City.
Vertonghen has also recovered from an ankle injury to start in the middle of the Spurs’ defence alongside Alderweireld. Winks makes his first start since the first-leg win over Manchester City, sitting in front of the back four with Sissoko, after overcoming his fitness issues. Eriksen, Son and Alli will support Kane in a three-man front just behind the striker.
Pochettino had one major decision to make regarding team selection for the final. Kane missed the second leg of their quarter-final clash against Manchester City and both legs against Ajax along with the end of the Premier League campaign. However, his return to fitness has seen him recalled to lead the line at the expense of Lucas. The Brazilian’s hat-trick against Ajax was the reason that Spurs were able to advance. Pochettino will have had a lot thoughts about the move, but he has selected Kane, albeit short of match fitness.
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Dejan Lovren, James Milner, Joe Gomez, Daniel Sturridge, Alberto Moreno, Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Simon Mignolet, Xherdan Shaqiri, Rhian Brewster, Divock Origi, Caoimhin Kelleher.
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson; Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum; Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane.
TOTTENHAM SUBS: Davinson Sanchez, Erik Lamela, Victor Wanyama, Michel Vorm, Eric Dier, Kyle Walker-Peters, Fernando Llorente, Juan Foyth, Paulo Gazzaniga, Serge Aurier, Lucas Moura, Ben Davies.
TOTTENHAM (4-2-3-1): Hugo Lloris; Kieran Trippier, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Danny Rose; Moussa Sissoko, Harry Winks; Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Son Heung-min; Harry Kane.
Liverpool return to the Champions League final for the second year in a row. Last season their dreams of a sixth European title were ended by Real Madrid, although it came after Mohamed Salah was forced to withdraw in the first half and two goalkeeping errors from Loris Karius between the sticks. Jurgen Klopp’s men staged an outstanding comeback of their own to beat Barcelona 4-0 in the second leg of their semi-final. The Reds were denied the Premier League crown, despite an excellent term. They will not want to miss out on another trophy opportunity this evening.
Tottenham are playing in the Champions League final for the first time in their history. Mauricio Pochettino’s men produced an incredible second-half comeback against Ajax in the second leg of their semi-final clash to earn their spot. Spurs have beaten Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and Ajax, but will have to put in a brilliant performance this evening to overcome Liverpool to win the European crown for the first time.
Good evening and welcome to the live commentary of the Champions League final between Tottenham and Liverpool at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Mohamed Salah
Penalty Goal